Dhangadhi, March 24

Chauraha defeated Campus Road by one wicket to advance to the final of the Sagarmatha Cement Dhangadhi Cricket League-3 here at the SSP grounds on Thursday.

In the second Qualifier match, Campus Road scored 119-7 in 20 overs before Chauraha reached 123-9 with one ball to spare. Campus Road had lost to Attariya in the first Qualifier, while Chauraha had defeated Hasanpur Royals in the Eliminator.

Santosh Bhatt top scored for Campus Road with 30 off 29 balls that included four boundaries, while Lalit Singh Bhandari struck three sixes in his fiery 12-ball 24. Opener Amar Dhanuk scored 22 off 25 with the help of four boundaries, while Lokesh Bam (14) and Chandra Saud (12) also scored in double figures. Sonu Tamang (2-15) and Yogendra Singh Karki (2-16) shared four wickets between them, while Padam KC took one wicket for Chauraha.

In reply, Chauraha opener Padam KC top scored for the team with 35 off 40 balls hitting four boundaries, while Dipendra Thapa scored a quick fire 31 off 28 balls that included two fours. Chauraha were nicely cruising after recovering from 78-5 with the team needing 10 runs from 23 balls. But they lost four wickets, including two when the scores were tied, for nine runs to come under pressure.

With Kiran Kumar Thagunna and Aman Panthi at the crease and the team needing one run to win the match, Chauraha got a leg-bye boundary off Chandra Saud in the penultimate ball of the innings. Former national team medium pacer Saud (3-24) had claimed the scalp of Dipesh Chand in the previous delivery but he failed to give the final blow. Lalit Singh Bhandari and Santosh Bhatt also claimed two wickets each for Campus Road, while Sagar Bhandari took one. Padam KC of Chauraha was named the man-of-the-match. The final is scheduled for Saturday.