The match schedule for the “Jay Trophy Men’s Elite Cup” cricket tournament, organized by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), has been announced.
According to the schedule released by CAN on Thursday, the opening match will feature Madhesh and Bagmati provinces competing on January 5, 2024.
The tournament will take place from January 5 to January 17 in Birgunj and Janakpur. The competition will feature the top four teams from last year’s Prime Minister’s National Cricket Tournament: Nepal Police Club, Tribhuvan Army Club, Bagmati Province, and Madhesh Province. The name of the competition has been changed from the CAN Elite Cup to the Jay Trophy Men’s Elite Cup.
In line with its policy to name tournaments after individuals who have made significant contributions to cricket in Nepal, CAN has renamed this tournament to honor the legacy of former CAN president, the late Jay Kumar Nath Shah. The Jay Trophy aims to establish itself as Nepal’s premier multi-day cricket tournament and transform into a first-class national cricket competition in the future, as stated by CAN.
The league stage matches will follow a two-day format, while the final match will be played over three days. The tournament will be played in white jerseys with red balls.
About Jay Kumar Nath Shah:
The late Jay Kumar Nath Shah was the former president of the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN). He passed away at the age of 89 in the month of Bhadra in 2074 B.S. (2017 AD).
From 1966 to 2006, Shah had served as the president of CAN for 40 years and during his tenure, Nepal gained recognition as an Associate Nation of the International Cricket Council (ICC) from 1988 and an Associate Nation of the Asian Cricket Council from 1996. Shah played a significant role in elevating Nepal to the international level through his dedicated efforts.
In 2004, the ICC awarded him the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions. He was also honored with a lifetime membership by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in 2008.
During the year of his demise, CAN paid tribute to him at their general assembly. In the program, he expressed concerns about the current state of Nepali cricket, stating, “I am a cricketer and I speak the language of cricket. Now, I am 89 years old, and next year, I will nervously enter my nineties. Watch out, I might get out on 96, which has been the highest score of my life, or I might even complete a century!”
Before becoming the president of the Cricket Association, Shah was also a cricket player. He excelled in football, table tennis, and high jump as well. Shah had represented Nepal in cricket during his stay in Ranchi, India, where he also played cricket alongside other sports.
