CCRC, CCI in semis

KATHMANDU: Capital College and Research Centre (CCR) and Classic College International (CCI) entered the semi-finals of the Kist Bank sixth KCC Running Trophy Nationwide Inter-college Cricket Tournament.

CCRC registered an eight-run win over KCC ‘Blue’, while CCI beat Golden Gate Education Network by 10 runs at the TU Stadium.

In the first match, CCRC scored 102-9 in 20 overs after electing to bat first and restricted KCC ‘Blue’ at 94-9. Pawan Das top scored for CCRC with 27 off 36 balls. Anil Mandal (16) and Antim Thapa (11) were the other batsmen to score in double figures. CCRC total was boasted by 18 extra runs. Suraj Timilsina was the peak of the KCC bowlers with 4-12 in four overs, while Yashin Hawari and Sameer Thapa claimed one wicket each.

In reply, KKC were well on course at 33-2 in the seventh over but they lost three quick wickets and never recovered. The hosts could not reach the target despite significant contributions from Raju Tundan (21), Hasim Ansari (18), Sagar Adhikari (17), Dhan Bahadur Chhetri (12) and Sameer Thapa (10). Sagar Khadka took 3-9, while Amrit Bhattarai claimed 2-19.

In the second quarter-final, CCI scored 120-9 in 20 overs before restricting Golden Gate for 110-9. Dinesh Agri top scored for CCI with 25 off 12 balls hitting two fours and as many sixes. Shakti Bhandari struck one four and a six in his 19-ball 17, while Dhirendra Chand and Keshab Panta contributed 14 runs each. Opener Pramod Basnet scored 12.

For Golden Gate, Sunam Gautam took 4-14 and Rom Shrestha claimed 1-7. In reply, Golden Gate got off to a flying start with openers Sunam Gautam and Sanjay Shrestha scoring 46 in 7.3 overs but failed to capitalise on that. Man of the match Sunam hit five fours in his 26-ball 30, while Sanjay scored 14 off 27 balls. Bivek Dali and Subash Khakurel scored 11 runs each and Sunny Pun contributed 10. For CCI, Naresh Budhayer took 3-18 and was well supported by Pramod Basnet (3-27) and Bhuwan Karki (2-4).