With the defeat against the hosts, Nepal wrapped up the series with three points out of a total eight on offer.  Photo courtesy: CAN

Nepal bowed out of the US Triangular Series of the ICC World Cup League 2 with a 39-run defeat against hosts US on Wednesday at the Moosa Cricket Stadium in Pearland, Texas.

Nepal won the toss and invited the US to bat first. The hosts posted a challenging total of 245-7 in the allotted 50 overs. Chasing the target, Nepal were bowled out for 206 runs in 47.4 overs.
With the defeat against the hosts, Nepal wrapped up the series with three points out of a total eight on offer. They won one, lost two and played a tie among four matches played. Leaders Oman bagged four points after two wins and as many defeats. The US finished the home series with five points.
Nepal had lost their opening match against Oman by 13 runs on June 9 before sharing a point against hosts after a last ball tie. Nepal had defeated Oman by seven wickets in their second leg match on Tuesday.

Nepal had lost their opening match against Oman by 13 runs on June 9 before sharing a point against hosts after a last ball tie. Nepal had defeated Oman by seven wickets in their second leg match on Tuesday.  Photo courtesy: CANNepal made a convincing start with the ball and removed opener Steven Taylor, who had scored a century in their last match on Saturday, on one run. They also got rid of number three batter and captain Monank Patel, the scorer of 85 runs in the last game, on four runs. The duo had shared 200-run stand against in the tied match.
But half centuries from Sushant Modani and middle order batter Gajanand Singh and some decent contributions from Aaron Jones and Saiteja Mukkamalla anchored the US innings.
Opener Modani, who scored 54 runs off 83, also shared an 88-run stand for the third wicket with Jones. He cracked seven fences before being caught by Dev Khanal at long on in a delivery by captain Sandeep Lamichhane. Jones played 60-ball 43 that included three fences. He was caught behind by wicketkeeper Aasif Sheikh off Dipendra Singh Airee.
Middle order batter Singh scored 58 runs, the highest of the innings, in his 60-ball knock. He hit five boundaries and a six before he was caught at mid-wicket boundary by Rohit Paudel off Lamichhane. Mukkamalla also made a remarkable contribution of 52-ball 36. Nisarga Patel and Cameron Stevenson remained not out on 18 runs and 16 runs respectively.

Karan KC was named player of the series for his 13 wicket haul in four matches.  Photo courtesy: CANNepal's medium pacer Karan KC picked three wickets to take his League 2 wicket tally to 35 wickets from 16 matches. He conceded 67 runs in his nine-over bowling. Captain Lamichhane took two wickets giving away 43 runs in his 10-over delivery. Sompal Kami and Airee shared a wicket each.
Nepal made a shaky start to their run chase and kept losing wickets on regular intervals and were left tottering at 5-93 by the 22nd over before Aarif Sheikh and Sompal Kami led Nepal's fightback with 106-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
Opener Kushal Bhurtel (10) runs and his pair Aasif Sheikh (18) and Rohit Paudel (16) failed to live up to expectations and departed cheaply.
Teenager Dev Khanal tried to resist the US bowling attack, but he ran out in his attempt to collect a second run as Nepal lost fourth wicket. Mukammalla's throw from about 70-yard struck the stump. Airee departed for seven runs as the fifth wicket.

USA players celebrate after taking the wicket of Aasif Sheikh.  Photo courtesy: CANBut Aarif and Kami gave hope to Nepal. Aarif contributed 63 runs off 76 and Kami scored 72-ball 47. They, however, were dismissed in the space of two balls in 45th over triggering dramatic collapse of Nepal's innings
Kami struck three fences before being caught by Kenjige in Saurabh Netravalkar delivery. Kami was run out two balls later with 7-200 on board at 46.4 overs. Nepal lost the remaining three wickets for six runs.
Karan KC was named player of the series for his 13-wicket haul in four matches.