Biraj Maharjan set history as Nepal’s most capped player as the national team skipper played his 69th match in national colours on Thursday in a 4-0 thumping win over Bhutan in a Saff Championship Group ‘A’ game in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The 28-year-old defender, who is in the twilight of his career, came in as an 84th minute replacement for Dinesh Rajbanshi to surpass the record of his coach and former national captain Raju Kaji Shakya. The latter had played 68 matches for the national team. Maharjan, the second batch of Anfa Academy, was appointed the national team captain since 2015 Trivandrum Saff Championship. Under Maharjan, Nepal have won the titles of Bangabandhu Gold Cup, AFC Solidarity Cup and South Asian Games men’s football in 2016.

Maharjan, who currently plays as the central defender, is equally efficient as left back and right back. After marking debut for Nepal during a friendly against Pakistan in 2008 in Pokhara, Maharjan has been an integral part of the team. He plays for Manang Marshyangdi Club in the domestic football. (PR)