Defending champions Nepal APF Sports Club stormed into the final of the Lalitpur Mayor Women's Twenty20 Championship knocking hosts Lalitpur Mayor's XI out with a seven-wicket victory, with both sides having a match in hand, at the TU ground in Kirtipur on Friday.

Lalitpur, who came into the match looking for their first win, posted 80-5 after electing to bat first before the departmental side raced to 83-3 in 13 overs after opener Jyoti Pandey smashed an unbeaten half century.

The third victory in a row in as many matches, lifted APF on top of the five-team table with six points and guaranteed them a top two finish. Only the top two teams at the end of the round robin league will be eligible for the final. Meanwhile, hosts Mayor's XI are languishing at the rock bottom without opening scores in the standing after the third match and became first team to exit from the group stage.

Mayor's XI made a poor start to their innings and were restricted to 3-20 before Suman Khatiwada and Aarati Bidari anchored the innings. Opener Helisha Gurung and Kanchan Shrestha were run out for one run and seven runs.

Khatiwada, the highest run scorer of the innings, collected 30 off 35 before she was caught and bowled by Suman Bist. She hit two fences. Aarati Bidari scored an unbeaten 21 facing 24 deliveries. She hit two fences. Saraswati Kumari Chaudhary contributed not out nine runs.

APF bowlers Karuna Bhandari and Suman Bist pocketed one wicket each.

In the run chase, APF opener Jyoti Pandey cracked unbeaten 56 off 45 that included 11 fences. Roman Thapa remained not out on 11 runs facing 17 deliveries. Mata Chaudhary contributed five runs and Sarita Magar eight runs.

Anuradha Chaudhary of Mayor's XI claimed a wicket in her three over bowling.

Sudur Paschim inch close to final

In the late fixture at the same venue, Sudur Paschim edged national captain Rubina Chhetri-led Province 1 by six wickets to register second to strengthen their bid for the final.

A victory over Lumbini Province in their next match on Saturday will guarantee Sudur Paschim a place in the final while a defeat could put their final fate hanging in balance. Sudur Paschim have four points after three matches and are second in the standings while Province 1 with only one win are fourth with two points after three matches.

Opting to bat first, Province 1 flopped in the batting department and were bowled out for a meagre total of 52 runs. Sangita Rai and Sabnam Rai were the only batters to touch double digits for Province 1 who lost five players with 20 runs on board.

Sangita, batting at number six, collected 12 runs while eighth number batter Sabnam contributed 10 runs.

Sudurpaschim bowler Ishwori Bist came up with a phenomenal performance for Sudur Paschim claiming four wickets. The left-arm spinner grabbed four wickets giving away 10 runs in her four-over spell. The player-of-the-match removed top order batters including opener duo Kajal Shrestha for seven runs and Rubina Chhetri for eight runs before bowling out Nagima Tamang and Lakita Rajbanshi for ducks.

Sudur Paschim bowlers Kabita Joshi and Samjhana Khadka also clinched two wickets apiece.

Sudur Paschim will vie against Lumbini in the early kickoff on Saturday while Mayor's XI will lock horns with Province 1 in the late match.