Kathmandu, January 13

Departmental sides Tribhuvan Army Club and Nepal Police Club sailed into the semi-finals of the second Ruslan Cup Twenty20 Cricket Tournament here at the Tribhuvan University Stadium today.

In the day’s quarter-final matches, TAC thrashed Royal PC Fighter by 10 wickets, while NPC registered an eight-wicket victory over Himalayan White House College.

Avinash Karn and Sompal Kami shared seven wickets as TAC bowled out Royal PC for a paltry 45 runs in 17 overs before the Armymen raced to the target in just four overs. Royal PC’s decision to take the first strike back fired as only Bijaya Sunar (11) could reach double figures.

Man-of-the-match Karn, who was the most destructive bowler for TAC, gave away only three runs in his four-over spell that included two maiden overs. Kami grabbed three wickets in four overs and conceded only eight runs, while Lokendra Chand picked up two and Jitendra Mukhiya claimed one wicket for TAC.

In reply, TAC reached 46 runs without loss in four overs. Opener Sagar Pun remained unbeaten on 36 off just 21 balls hitting seven boundaries, while Kami was not out on three.

In another match, Sunil Dhamala scored a quick fire 42-ball 60 not out to help NPC chase down 99-run target set by Himalayan White House in 13 overs with eight wickets in hand.

Dhamala, who completed his half century in 39 balls, hammered four each boundaries and sixes. He added 29 runs with opener Dilip Nath (nine) and shared a 58-run partnership for the second wicket with Aarif Sheikh, who scored 27 off just 21 balls with the help of five boundaries. Himalayan White House skipper Hasim Ansari picked up one wicket.

Earlier, Himalayan White House scored 98-8 in 20 overs. Hasim Ansari top scored with 33 off 42 balls with the help of three fours, while Pranil Thapa Magar contributed 23 runs hitting hit two boundaries and a six. Amar Singh Rautela remained unbeaten on 25-ball 18.

Himalayan White House had disastrous start as they lost openers Aakash Thapa (one) and Shubendu Pandey (one) with just three runs on the board. However, the pair of Hasim Ansari and Pranit Thapa Magar anchored the innings with a 40-run partnership for third wicket. NPC’s Lalit Bhandari and Dipendra Airee pocketed two wickets each, while man-of-the-match Sunil Dhamala, Lalit Rajbanshi and Manjeet Shrestha picked up one apiece.