TAC’s huge win at the TU grounds sets a mouth-watering title clash with departmental archrivals Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club, who sidelined Region 2 Birgunj by seven wickets in the other semi-final at the Pulchowk Engineering College grounds.

While Chhetri smashed his first century in the Nationals, Mandal cruised to his third century of the current tournament and fourth overall, helping TAC post a mammoth 329-6 in 50 overs. Baitadi were heading towards an embarrassing defeat at 105-8 before a ninth-wicket century stand between Prashant Bist and Basant Khatri guided them to 211 all out in 36.2 overs.

Mandal and Chhetri dominated the game as the two displayed huge amount of patience and equally better batting techniques against a listless Baitadi attack. They shared a record 247-run stand, surpassing their own 215 opening wicket partnership against Region 7 Janakpur.

Mandal, who had scored a century while representing Janakpur in the previous National, was already the only batsman in domestic cricket to score three tons. In the current edition, Mandal made centuries against Janakpur and Birgunj. His tournament total of 414 runs also makes him the only batsman to cross 400 runs in the Nationals.

Mandal scored 128 off 115 ball, with 15 boundaries before losing his wicket to Kamal Airee in the 41st over. After Mandal’s departure, Chhetri completed his milestone and upped the ante to  help TAC cross 300-run mark. Man-of-the-match Chhetri smashed 14 fours and a six in his 143-ball 134. Khatri picked up 3-55 and Airee had 2-62.

TAC were bolstered by the return of Sompal Kami and Sagar Pun who played the three-day Emerging Teams Cup in Sri Lanka with Kalutara Physical Culture Club. Kami, who had taken 39 wickets from five games in Sri Lanka, did the early damage with three quick wickets.

From 105-8, Bist and Khatri took to the TAC bowlers to add 106 runs for the ninth wicket. Khatri (53) was the most menacing, completing his 50 off 23 balls with five sixes and three boundaries. Bist top scored with 45-ball 62 that included five fours and three sixes. Jitendra Mukhiya and Pun also picked up two wickets apiece for the Armymen.

In Pulchowk, man-of-the-match Aarif Sheikh completed a five-wicket haul against his former team as APF squeezed out Birgunj for 134 in 42.2 overs. An 85-run second wicket partnership between Subash Khakurel and Pradeep Airee took APF to 135-3 in just 18 overs.

Khakurel made 71 off 52 with nine fours and two sixes, while Airee made 34 off 35 with five hits to the fence. Irshad Ahmed picked up two wickets for Birgunj. Anil Sah had top scored for Birgunj with a 52-ball 40 hitting six boundaries and Suraj Prasad Kurmi was their next best with 28 off 73. Kurmi stroked four boundaries.

Yagyaman Kumal and Basanta Regmi also grabbed two wickets each for APF.