Alfonso Thomas starred with bat and ball as the Somerset Sabres recorded a stunning one-wicket win over IPL champions the Deccan Chargers in their Champions League encounter in Hyderabad on Saturday.

Batting first, Indian international VVS Laxman opened the Chargers? innings with Adam Gilchrist, and seemingly traded his usually sublime touch for a more brutal approach as the got Chargers off to a flier.

Former Cobras bowler Charl Willoughby was smacked for two fours in his first over, with fellow South African Thomas only a trifle less expensive.

It was unusual to see Gilchrist outscored, but the legendary wicketkeeper launched his expected attack on Willoughby in his next over - clobbering the left-armer for consecutive boundaries and a six in his next over.

Gilchrist's innings did not last much longer though, as Thomas picked up this first wicket of the day.

From there, the Chargers lost regular wickets, with Tirumalasetti Suman (6), Andrew Symonds (8) and then Laxman (46) were all sent back to the pavilion.

Rohit Sharma (24) and Scott Styris (13) continued Laxman's good work, but in the end it was Venugopal Rao's cameo (22) that helped the Chargers to a competitive 153.

Former England opener Marcus Trescothick (14) began Somerset?s chase on a positive note, hitting West Indian quick Fidel Edwards for 12 in his first over, but he miscued a pull to Gilchrist soon after.

Another Australian Justin Langer (15) and former Proteas all-rounder Zander de Bruyn (19) kept Somerset going for a while though, but were both dismissed by RP Singh in one over.

From 50 for one at one stage, Somerset capitulated to 99/7 with five overs left in the game - a dire situation.

A slight drizzle followed which seemingly gave Somerset a new lease on life and James Hildreth along with Thomas added 50 for the eighth wicket to lead Somerset to the verge of an unlikely victory, needing only another five off the last over.

Styris provided another twist however, as first Hildreth (25) and then Max Waller (0) were sent back to the pavilion.

Thomas kept a cool head though and smashed two boundaries off the last three deliveries to drag the Sabres over the line.