Sports
Dhangadi Premier League: Team Chauraha romp into final
National team skipper Paras Khadka-led Dhangadi Team Chauraha romped into the final of the Dhangadi Premier League with a 92-run win over Rupandehi Challengers here at the SSP Cricket Grounds on Thursday.Binod Pandey
National team skipper Paras Khadka-led Dhangadi Team Chauraha romped into the final of the Dhangadi Premier League with a 92-run win over Rupandehi Challengers here at the SSP Cricket Grounds on Thursday.
The victory lines up championship showdown against Biratnagar Kings on Saturday. Khadka led from the front scoring an explosive half century to help Chauraha post a commanding 172-5 in the second Qualifier. Rupandehi lost another chance to reach the final after collapsing to 80 runs in 15.2 overs. Rupandehi were playing against the winners of the Eliminator match after losing the first Qualifier against Biratnagar on Wednesday.
Khadka and company found their feet just in time to barely reach the playoff as the fourth and final team with victory over the same team in the last league match on Monday. They beat Kathmandu Goldens in the Eliminator on Wednesday to set a rematch with Rupandehi.
“You need some luck playing in these conditions, but without performing luck alone will not win you matches,” said Chauraha skipper Khadka. “One of the reasons we chose to bat first was because Rupandehi did not have good record while chasing a target.” Looking ahead to the final, Khadka added: Both teams are equally strong but the outcome will probably decided by the team who succeed to soak up the pressure.”
After openers Raju Rijal (25) and Anil Kumar Mandal (13) gave Chauraha a cautious start, it was left for Khadka to accelerate their innings. Khadka slammed six fours and four sixes in his unbeaten 67-run knock off 41 balls to help post the second highest team total of the tournament. Kathmandu Goldens had posted 173-5 against Biratnagar Kings during the league stage.
Khadka’s own score was also the highest individual runs scored so far. Of the two other batsmen to hit half centuries in the tournament, one was struck by Aarif Sheikh (58) of Chauraha and the other by Yogendra Singh Karki (57) of CYC Attariya. Saurav Khanal also helped swell the Chauraha total with a fiery 24. Khanal clobbered two sixes and as many fours in his eight-ball unbeaten cameo. Krishna Karki took two, while Bikram Bhusal and Shahab Alam claimed one wicket each for Rupandehi.
Rajesh Pulami Magar and Krishna Karki top scored for Shakti Gauchan-led Rupandehi team in their run chase, which ended in the 16th over. Khanal and Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi took three wickets, while Aarif Sheikh grabbed two and Susan Bhari one wicket for Chauraha. The third consecutive defeat completes a remarkable freefall for the team who finished top of the standings in the six-team tournament. Their misery started and ended with heavy defeats against Chauraha.
Summary
Dhangadi Team Chauraha 172-5 in 20 overs (P Khadka 67*, R Rijal 25, S Khanal 24*; K Karki 2-40, S Alam 1-21) beat Rupandehi Challengers 80 in 15.2 overs(R Pulami 14, K Karki 14; L Rajbanshi 3-12, S Khanal 3-26)
by 92 runs
Player-of-the-match: P Khadka