KATHMANDU, Dec 27: A 82 runs partnership between all-rounder Aarif Sheikh and Puneet Mishra rescued Bhairahawa to a respectable total of 127/8 in 20 overs. At one stage, Gladiators were struggling at 27/4 when Rohit Poudel was caught behind by Aasif Sheikh off Sahan Adeesha.
Aarif Sheikh piled up 46 runs continuing from where he left in the last match. He smashed one four and three sixes including one towering six over the midwicket area. Puneet Mishra, the left arm spin allrounder from India, missed his fifty but scored three fours and three sixes in the middle to power Gladiators total to 127 after being 32/4 at halfway stage.
Sahan Adeesha, the Sri Lankan recruit for Biratnagar Warriors, registered his best bowling figures for EPL as he picked up two wickets conceding 29 runs in his four overs. Karan KC delivered an effective last over of the innings which yielded two wickets for him. Warriors skipper Paras Khadka, Basant Regmi, and Avinash Karn also chipped in with a wicket each.
Earlier, Biratnagar Warriors won the toss and elected to bowl first. The winner of this match will go to the finals whilst the loser of the match will play second qualifier match tomorrow. The winner of the Eliminator between Pokhara Rhinos and Lalitpur Rhinos will qualify for the second qualifier to face the loser of this match.
Match Summary
Bhairahawa Gladiators 127/8 (20 Ov)
Puneet Mishra 49 (34) 3 fours, 3 sixes
Aarif Sheikh 46 (35) 1 four, 3 sixes
Sahan Adeesha 4-0-29-2
Karan KC 4-0-36-2
Biratnagar Warriors (Toss)
Target 128
Gladiators to face Warriors in Qualifier 1
