Dipendra Singh Airee slammed an explosive century as Golden Gate International College underlined their title credentials with a crushing 138-run victory over Tribhuvan University to enter the semi-finals of the College Cricket League Twenty20 on Friday.

Put in to bat first in a Group ‘D’ match held at the TU Stadium in Kirtipur, a star-studded Golden Gate team build on a solid century partnership for the first wicket between national team middle-order mainstays Airee and Sharad Vesawkar to post a tournament-high 226-5 in 20 overs. Against an equally strong bowling side, TU could only manage 88-5 in 20 overs.

In another Group ‘B’ match, Himalaya College eased to a five-wicket victory over Shankar Dev Campus to go through as pool winners. In the semi-finals on Saturday, Himalaya will take on Triton International College and Golden Gate will be up against Kathmandu University.

Airee’s whirlwind century was the highlight of the day as he punished a toothless TU attack with both class and aggression. He put on 155-run partnership for the first wicket with Vesawkar, who also completed a half century. Man-of-the-match Airee, who completed his half century in 29 balls, need only 51 deliveries to reach the triple figures. His entertaining knock included 13 boundaries and six sixes.

Vesawkar scored a 31-ball 58 hitting six boundaries and three sixes. Sonu Tamang (17 not out) and Jitendra Singh Thakuri (15 not out) pushed the team beyond 200. Roshesh Pandey took three wickets for Tribhuvan University.

With a mountain to climb, TU batsmen failed to cope with a disciplined Golden Gate bowling attack and the match was all about salvaging a pride for them rather than chasing the target. Krishna Dev Bhatta and Pandey made 20 runs each for them. Vesawkar also took two wickets for Golden Gate.

Later in the day, Shankar Dev needed a big victory to go through and looked set on a big total when openers Gajendra Bohora and Deepak Bohora added 75 runs inside nine overs. But Himalaya fought back hard with the ball through Bikash Yadav restricting the opponents to 142-9.

Shankar Dev did manage to pick three quick wickets but two crucial partnerships involving Suman Gahatraj helped them finish at 145-5 in 16.4 overs. Himalaya were 38-3 before Gahatraj and Asik Sah shared 48 runs.

Lalit Pyakurel raised some faint hopes taking two back to back wickets including that of Sah but Gahatraj held firm and together with Amit (17 not out) took the team across the finishing line following a match-winning 59-run unbroken sixth wicket stand. Sandeep Khadka also took two wickets for Shankar Dev.

Gajendra did more than 50 percent of scoring as Shankar Dev approached a big total. But man-of-the-match Yadav not only broke the big opening wicket stand but also dismissed both the openers and returned the figures of 4-17 from four overs. Gajendra made 72 off 56 with nine fours and Deepak made 29 off 22 with four boundaries and a six. Other batsmen failed to score on double digits.