Triton International College and Kathmandu University entered the semi-finals of the College Cricket League Twenty20 at the TU grounds on Thursday.

Triton crushed Orchid International College by 44 runs to go through as Group ‘A’ winners. Kathmandu University, meanwhile, edged Tri Chandra College by 19 runs to qualify from Group ‘B’ after winning both their pool matches.

A second consecutive half century from Pravin Rijal and a gritty knock from skipper Ishan Pandey lifted KU to 152-3 in 20 overs. Tri Chandra remained in the chase until the 17th over but once KU removed set batsman Puran BK, their innings crumbled at 133 runs in 19.3 overs.

BK was at the heart of Tri Chandra chase after few crucial partnership with Prajwal Shahi and Sohan Yadav (16). Former U-19 international Rupesh Srivastav sent BK back in the first ball of the 18th over to end Tri Chandra challenge. BK made 47 off 40 balls hitting four boundaries and a six.

Shahi made 33 off 25 with three fours and two sixes. Srivastav took four wickets, while man-of-the-match Pandey and Sagar Sharma also had two wickets apiece.

Rijal and Rabin Joshi (29) had given a desired start for KU adding 50 runs for the first wicket. Rijal was also involved in a 60-run third wicket partnership with Pandey and fell for 51 off 49 with three fours and a six. Pandey struck 47 not out off 30 balls with four boundaries and one hit over the fence. Dilip Nath took all three KU wickets to fall.

In the first match, Aadil Khan and Nepali international Pradeep Airee shared 77 runs for the third wicket guiding Triton to 142-5 in 20 overs. Triton used all their 11 bowlers and restricted Orchid to 98-9. Prawesh Khadka was the only Orchid batsman to offer some resistance making a 29-ball 25 with one boundary.

Khan made 49 off 36 with four boundaries and a six, while Airee chipped in 37 off 48 with four boundaries. Bigyan Gautam took two wickets for Orchid.