Paras Khadka-led Biratnagar Warriors continued their clinical performance defeating Bhairahawa Gladiators by eight wickets to enter the final of the Everest Premier League (EPL) Twenty20 cricket tournament at the TU Stadium.

Hong Kong’s Babar Hayat and Anshuman Rath were once again at the centre as the duo once again notched up half century partnership to lay the foundation for victory after Gladiators were folded for 127-8. After losing Aasif Sheikh (duck) early, Hayat struck his second half century of the tournament before a firework from Khadka guided Gladiators to 131-2 in 17 overs.

Sharad Vesawkar’s Gladiators will now meet Gyanendra Malla-led Lalitpur Patriots in the second Qualifier on Thursday. Winners of that game  will meet Warriors in Saturday’s final. Patriots swept aside Shakti Gauchan’s Pokhara Rhinos by 27 runs in the Eliminator match.

Warriors put Gladiators on the back foot early on, reducing the opponents to 27-4 in 8.1 overs when Sri Lankan bowler Sahan Adeesha starred with key wickets of skipper Vesawkar (eight) and hard-hitting Rohit Kumar Paudel (six). Gladiators failed to open freely and got the much required lift only in the 15th over when Aarif Sheikh struck Adeesha for two consecutive sixes that fetched them 22 runs.

Sheikh continued his fine form in the tournament and made 46 off 35 with three sixes and one boundary. He shared 82-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Indian recruit Puneet Mishra who was out in the last over for 49 off 34 with three sixes and as many boundaries. Apart from Adeesha, Karan KC also took two wickets for Warriors.

“We lost too many wickets in the powerplays and scored very little in the first 10 overs but the way we fought back was incredible. We bowled well but the way the Hong Kong batsmen and Paras are playing, that made us taste defeat,” said Vesawkar after the match.

After losing Aasif early, Rath and Hayat shared 74 runs for the second wicket to ease the chase. Hayat was the aggressor smashing five sixes and four boundaries in his 44-ball 62, his second half century of the tournament. After Hayat’s departure, Khadka was involved in an unbroken 56-run stand to seal the victory.

Khadka struck four sixes and two boundaries in his 24-ball 42, while Rath was unbeaten on 26 off 32 with two fours. “It has been a good team performance. Everyone is contributing in the team’s victory, including the bowlers. Babar and Anshuman have been exceptional and the way they are batting in this slow wicket, there is a lot to learn for us,” said Khadka.

In the second match, a good start from opener Shankar Rana and Jaykishan Kolsawala coupled with equally good finishing from Sunny Patel saw Patriots reach 138-5 in 20 overs. Rhinos virtually lost the game in the 11th over, after being reduced to 50-7 but tailenders hung on to finish at 111 in 19.1 overs.

Opener Israrullah top scored for Rhinos with 22-ball 25 hitting leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane for two sixes in a single over. Kishor Mahato and Taj Wali (10 not out) got Rhinos the best partnership sharing 31 runs for the last wicket. Mahato made 23 off 13 with three fours and six, while Sushan Bhari Shrestha was their next best scorer with 17.

Lamichhane took 3-27 from three overs. Rashid Khan, Patel and Pawan Sarraf also claimed two wickets each. Patriots were 60-1 inside 10 overs but quick dismissals of both the openers sparked a brief collapse as they were reduced to 76-5 in 13.2 overs.

Rana made 34 off 43 with five boundaries and Kolsawal hit 28 off 22 with three fours and one hit over the fence. After the brief wobble, man-of-the-match Patel and Dipesh Bhandari (19 not out) upped the ante with an unbroken 62-run stand in 40 deliveries. Patel scored 38 off 26 with three sixes and two fours.

Summaries

Biratnagar Warriors 131-2 in 17 overs (B Hayat 62, P Khadka 42*; P Mishra 1-24, H Sah 1-23) beat Bhairahawa Gladiators 127-8 in 20 overs (P Mishra 49, A Sheikh 46; S Adeesha 2-29, K KC 2-36) by eight wickets in Qualifier; Man-of-the-match: B Hayat

......

Lalitpur Patriots 138-5 in 20 overs (S Patel 38*, S Rana 34; Israrullah 3-14, S Bhari 2-33) beat Pokhara Rhinos 111 in 19.1 overs (Israrullah 25, K Mahato 23; S Lamichhane 3-27, P Sarrf 2-12) by 27 runs in Eliminator; Man-of-the-match: S Patel