Kathmandu, March 29

Golden Gate International College and Himalaya College advanced to the semi-finals of the Golden Gate College Cricket League at the TU Stadium today.

Golden Gate defeated Tribhuvan University by 138 runs to finish as Group C winners, while Himalaya beat Shamker Dev by five wickets to make it to the last four as Group D toppers. They joined Kathmandu University and Triton in semis.

In the day’s first match, Golden Gate posted 236-5 after they were invited to take the first strike and restricted TU to a paltry 88-5. National team players Dipendra Singh Airee and Sharad Vesawkar gave Golden Gate a flying start as the openers added 155 runs in 12.4 overs.

Man-of-the-match Airee completed his century scoring 101 off just 52 balls with the help of 13 boundaries and six sixes, while Vesawkar struck six fours and three sixes in his 31-ball 58. Sonu Tamang struck two sixes his 7-ball 17, while skipper Prithu Baskota scored 11-ball 15 hitting one each four and six. Jitendra Singh Thakuri remained unbeaten on 5-ball 15 that included one each four and six.

Roshesh Paudel took three wickets for TU, while Janak Bista and Kamal Khatri grabbed one each. In reply, only three batsmen scored in double figures for TU. Opener Krishna Dev Bhatta and Roshesh paudel scored 20 each, while Rajesh Rimal contributed 10 runs. Sharad Vesawkar took two wickets for Golden Gate, while Nandan Yadan and Dipendra Rawat pocketed one each.

In another match, Shanker Dev scored 142-9 in 20 overs before Himalaya reached the target losing five wickets with 20 balls to spare. Opener Gajendra Bohora top scored for Shanker Dev with 72 off 56 balls hitting nine fours, while Deepak Bohara scored 22-ball 29 with the help of four boundaries and a six.

Bikash Yadav was the pick of the Himalaya bowlers taking 4-17 and he also won the man-of-the-match award, while Abiraj Yadav, Rupesh Singh and Mayank Jha grabbed one wicket each.

In reply, Suman Gahatraj scored an unbeaten 36 off just 30 balls to take Himalaya home and he also added 59 runs for the unbroken sixth wicket with Amit. Gahatraj struck four boundaries in his 30-ball knock, while Amit scored 17 not out off 19 balls hitting two boundaries.

Ashik Shah scored 34 off just 21 balls hitting four boundaries and two sixes, while opener Dinesh Adhikari scored a quick fire 25 off 18 balls that included three fours and a six. Sandeep Khadka and Lalit Pyakurel took two wickets each for Shanker Dev.