Skipper Rubina Chhetry’s all-round performance secured Kat Queens Kathmandu’s place in the final with a thumping nine-wicket victory over Biratnagar Titans in the eliminator on Tuesday. They will now play Chitwan Rhinos for the Women’s Champions League Twenty20 title on Thursday.

Chhetry grabbed four wickets and returned with the bat to score an unbeaten 34 runs as the Queens comfortably chased down 69-run target with more than 10 overs to spare.

After electing to bat first, Titans got off to a solid start as openers Jyoti Pandey and Sonu Khadka put on 44 runs. They looked to be on course for a big total before Pandey was stumped at 12 runs.

The Queens were able to make the breakthrough only after Chhetry brought herself into attack in the seventh over. The skipper got the prized wicket of Pandey in the fifth ball of the seventh over after she was stumped by wicket keeper Mamta Thapa off skipper Chhetry.

Khadka became the next victim of Chhetry in the first ball of ninth over after she was caught and bowled for 34 runs as the wickets began to fall at regular intervals. Her third over was the turning point for Kat Queens as they claimed three wickets in the over to stamp their mark in the game. Laxmi Chaudhary was run out for two, Dolly Bhatta was bowled for nought by Chhetry before Sarita Magar was also run out in the last ball of the over. Titans struggled to tackle the Queens’ tight bowling and failed to capitalise on the bright start given by their openers.

After losing their first wicket for 44 runs, the Queens ramped up the pressure and Titans crumbled spectacularly and lost their final eight wickets adding just 24 runs. They were eventually bowled out for a paltry 68 runs in the 18th over.

Chhetry, who spearheaded the Queens’ attack, conceded just four runs in as many overs with a maiden. Ishwori Bist, Sangita Rai and Laxmi Saud also had one scalp each to their name.

The Queens too made a shaky start, losing opener Roma Thapa in the very first ball of their inning. Sonu Khadka, opening the bowling for the Titans, trapped Thapa leg before in her first ball. But Chhetry, once again, stepped up to play a captain’s knock and scored 34 from 30 balls. Apsari Begam provided good support to Chhetry with 27 runs. The two batted for 9.5 overs and achieved the target with much ease.

Rhinos topped their group after winning all four group matches to automatically qualify for the finals. The Rhinos had also defeated the Queens by five wickets in the tournament curtain raiser.