DAV College and Tribhuvan University (TU) set the title clash of the University Cup Twenty20 cricket tournament with contrasting victories at the TU grounds on Friday. 

While TU needed a Super Over to beat Cosmos College in the day’s first semi-final, DAV overcame Golden Gate International College by 11 runs to march into Saturday’s final. TU’s thrilling win over Cosmos was the highlight of the day, probably the entire tournament so far. 

Put in to bat first, half centuries from opener Amit Shrestha and middle order batsman Sandeep Jhora guided Cosmos to 170-6. Subash Khakurel then replied with a half century and at one point it looked like the national team opener was going to lead his side to victory. In the last over, TU need 10 runs but Jhora conceded nine runs to tie the score at 170-8. 

Khakurel and Sonu Tamang both hit a six each as TU made 18 without loss in the Super Over and Cosmos could only manage 10. Khakurel top scored for his side with a 52-ball 76 that included eight boundaries and three sixes. Prithu Baskota was their next best scorer with 30 from 26 that included three boundaries and a six. 

Earlier, Shrestha did the bulk of scoring from Cosmos’ top order making 60 off 44 with seven boundaries and two sixes. Jhora, together with Prashanna Shakya (11-ball 25 not out), shared 61 runs for the seventh wicket and struck a 30-ball 57 with four sixes and as many boundaries. Rupesh Shrivastav and Sagar Dhakal took two wickets each for TU. 

In the second match of the day, Golden Gate bundled out DAV for just 120 runs in 20 overs but their batsmen ran out of fuel before getting restricted to 109-8 in reply. Naresh Budhayer top scored for them with 37 off 36 with six boundaries and Bhupendra Thapa’s run-a-ball 27 included three boundaries. Rest of the batsmen failed to make runs in double figures. 

Aadil Khan picked up 3-15 from four overs for DAV. Khan was also the performer with bat for DAV making a 25-ball 27 hitting a six and a four. Sumit Maharjan made 22 off 14 with three boundaries. Santosh Bhatt took 3-18 from four overs, while Rashid Khan also took two wickets for Golden Gate.