Kathmandu, December 9:

National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) registered a comprehensive seven-wicket win over defending champions Himalayan White House International College in the inaugural match of the second Aaditya Memorial Inter-college Twenty20 Cricket Tournament here at the Tundikhel grounds today.

Put into the bat first by NIST, White House were bowled out for 102 runs in the last ball of their allotted 20 overs. NIST surpassed the total losing three wickets in 17 overs.

The White House defeat would have been more worse had Aashish Man Singh and Mahesh Thapa not shared a 39-run fifth-wicket partnership. White House were reeling at 23-4 before Aashish and Mahesh -- the only batsmen to score in double figures -- helped them cross three figures. Top-scorer Aashish struck five fours in his 35-ball 29 while Mahesh scored 14 off 24 including two fours.

Umesh Karn was the pick of the NIST bowlers with 3-15 from four overs. Man of the match Safal Ghimire (2-13), Utsav Karki (2-18) and Deep Rana (2-27) also picked up two wickets apiece.

Chasing 103 runs to win the match, NIST were jolted early in the first over when Nirajan Ghale was trapped leg before wicket by Dibiz Bhandari. But Ronald Dulal (18) and Safal Ghimire (17) put on 48 runs for the second wicket to pull their team out of trouble. Samriddha Rawal and Deep Rana (five) then guided NIST home with an unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 33 runs. Samriddha scored 25 off 42 balls hitting five fours to the fence. Dibiz, Suman Saud and Aashish Man Singh claimed one wicket each for White House.

In all, 15 teams are taking part in the tournament organised by the students of Budhanilkantha School. On Wednesday, Capital College and Research Centre (CCRC) will play against Everest International College and Budhanilkantha ‘A’ will take on Triton College at the same venue.