Nepal’s inconsistent batting performance continued against Namibia in their opening match of the Scotland Tri Series of the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 in Ayr, Scotland, as they lost their opening match by 40 runs on Monday.

Electing to bat first, Namibia were bowled out for 220 runs in 47.3 overs before they restricted Nepal at 180 runs in 46.5 overs.

It was also the first 50-over defeat against Namibia for Nepal after losing to them in 2001 in the ICC Trophy. Since then, the two sides had played four 50-over games in the past and Nepal had won all four.

The outcome meant Nepal dropped one spot below to sixth in the League standings among seven teams. Nepal have 15 points from 17 matches as Namibia replaced them in the fifth position with 16 points from as many matches. Papua New Guinea (PNG) are at the bottom of the table with two points. Oman lead the standings on 44 points from 36 matches.

The teams finishing on top three positions at the end of the Series, after equal 36 matches, will book a place for 2023 World Cup Qualifiers and the top five teams will retain One-Day International status. The bottom four will have to go through a playoff involving six teams for a place in Qualifiers.

Nepal's shaky batting lineup was again to be blamed in the defeat as middle order batter Aarif Sheikh was the only player from Nepal to reach the half century mark. He remained unbeaten on 50 runs facing 84 deliveries.

Chasing the target, Nepal lost wickets in regular intervals and were 3-51 after they lost opener duo Aasif Sheikh and Kushal Bhurtel for 14 and 27 runs, respectively, and Rohit Paudel for a duck. Number three batter Dev Khanal contributed 65-ball 34, the second highest of the innings. He was trapped leg before.

Lower middle order batter Karan KC played 11-ball 19 while Sompal Kami and Mohammad Aadil Alam contributed 10 runs each.

Namibian bowlers David Wiese, Bernard Scholtz and Jan Frylinck claimed two wickets each. Ruben Trumpelmann and Gerhard Erasmus picked one scalp each.

Namibian middle order batter Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton contributed 60 runs, the highest of the innings, facing 70 deliveries. The player-of-the-match hit five fences and a six before he was caught and bowled by opener Sompal Kami.

Opener Divan la Cock scored 41 runs off 32 deliveries. He was trapped leg before by captain Sandeep Lamichhane. Captain Gerhard Erasmus contributed 22 runs and Craig Williams 21 runs, while openers Lo-handre Louwrens and David Wiese hit 18 runs each. Johannes Jonathan Smit contributed 17 runs.

Nepal's captain Lamichhane claimed four wickets in his 10-over bowling, giving away 54 runs. Sompal Kami grabbed two wickets in his seven over spell, conceding 44 runs.

Nepal will play their second match of the Series against hosts Scotland on Wednesday.