Opener Sunil Dhamala struck a sublime half-century leading title contenders Nepal Police Club (NPC) to the final of the Rautahat Premier League in a crushing 76-run victory over Malpokhari Cricket Club on Monday.

Electing to bat first, Dhamala held the NPC innings forging some crucial partnerships as the departmental giants made 160-6 in 20 overs. The man-of-the-match then also took two wickets with his economical bowling as Malpokhari were 84 all out in 18.4 overs. NPC will now play the winners of the second semi-final between Great Himalaya Cricket Academy (GHCA) and Oasis Cricket Academy in the final.

GHCA and Oasis were scheduled to play on Monday but the match was postponed by a day due to technical reasons. Either of the teams will have a lot of work to do as the final match is on Tuesday.

Malpokhari struggled througout their chase after Yogendra Karki and skipper Manjeet Shrestha picked up two wickets each in the top order after Ramnaresh Giri had removed opener Deepak Bohora. No 9 batsman Ambrose Sah top scored for them with a 21-ball 26 not out hitting three fours and a six. Bhuwan Gaire and Kamal Oli were their remaining batsmen to make reach double figures with 12 runs each.

Dhamala returned the figures of 2-19 from four overs, while Shrestha and Karki were economical conceding just 14 runs in their collective six overs. Spinner Prem Tamang took 3-23 from 3.4.

Earlier, Dhamal began the day with a 39-run opening wicket partnership with Dilip Nath (13) and added another 47 with Amit Shrestha (10). He then got involved in a 45-run stand for the third wicket with skipper Shrestha who played a 14-ball cameo of 28 with four boundaries and a six. Kushal Bhurtel chipped in an eight-ball 16 hitting two fours and a six.

Dhamala made a 55-ball 78 smashing 10 boundaries and three hits over the fence. Kamal Oli took four wickets for Malpokhari but was hit for 35 runs in the process.