In a match reduced to 35-overs-a-side due to wet outfield, Baitadi decision to bat first backfired as they were bundled out for just 89 runs in 34.3 overs. Janakpur were heading towards a humiliating loss in a chase of low total before Saraswati played an unbeaten knock to sail the team home. Janakpur will now meet the winner of Friday’s semi-final match between Nepal APF Club and Region No 5 Nepalgunj in the final on Saturday.

Janakpur had a modest start in their chase when opener Sobha Ale and Anuradha Chaudhary (eight) began with a 23-run stand. But their expectations of marching towards a comfortable victory was dashed after losing next five wickets for 19 runs . The slide started when Rekha Rawal bowled Anuradha. Shanti Chaudhary (one), Mamta Chaudhary (six), Kabita Gautam (naught) and Urmila Chaudhary (duck) fell cheaply as Janakpur were reduced to 42-5 in 13 overs.

Rekha Rawal picked up the first five wickets to fall. Saraswati stepped in and together with opener Ale shared a 35-run match winning stand to relieve Janakpur. Aasha Saki ended the partnership with the dismissal of Ale but by that time Janakpur were just 13 short of victory. Saraswati ended up making 27 not out off 49. Ale top scored with 32 off 70.

Both the leading scorers from Janakpur hit two boundaries. Rawal returned with figures of 3-20 from seven overs. Anjali Chand picked up 1-15 from seven overs.

Earlier, Baitadi never settled in their innings losing wickets at regular intervals once Saraswati opened the floodgates with the dismissal of opener Dropati Kunwar (one). Only three Baitadi batswomen made runs in double figures, while 19 runs came courtesy of extras.

Kabita Kunwar top scored with 22 off 49 with three boundaries and opener Manju Bokati was next best scorer with 16 off 54, hitting two boundaries. Chand scored 15 off 30 balls with one boundary. Mamta picked up 3-15 from 5.3 overs, while Saraswati and Santoshi Chaudhary had two scalps apiece.