Multi-day cricket, the oldest and most traditional form of cricket, has been played since 1877. Played with a red ball, white dress, and two innings per team, this format is considered the highest level of the game. It challenges players’ skills, patience, and endurance for longer periods compared to shorter formats.
The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has introduced the Jay Trophy Men’s Elite Cup, a two-day national cricket tournament. The tournament is being held in Birgunj and Janakpur and features Bagmati Province, Madhesh Province, Tribhuwan Army Club, and Nepal Police Club. These four teams were the top finishers in the last Prime Minister’s Cup. The competition started on January 5, 2025, and will conclude with a three-day final from January 14 to 16.
This tournament honors Jaykumar Nath Shah, a former CAN President who contributed greatly to cricket in Nepal. The Jay Trophy, first introduced in 2037 BS, is being brought back to promote red-ball cricket.
Nepal has played multi-day cricket internationally in the Intercontinental Cup in 2004/05 and 2006. The last time Nepal played red-ball cricket was during the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) tour in 2019, where games were played in a three-day format.
The standings are based on a points system, encouraging teams to play for results while balancing strategy.
The Jay Trophy Men’s Elite Cup aims to revive red-ball cricket in Nepal and give players experience in this challenging format. It is a step toward preparing players for higher levels of cricket while keeping alive the tradition of multi-day cricket.
