Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Nepal suffered their third consecutive defeat in the ongoing ICC World Cricket League (WCL) 2 tri-series, conceding a four-wicket defeat to the United States in Dubai on Saturday.
The defeat marks Nepal’s second consecutive loss against the US in the series, and their third overall. Earlier, Nepal had lost their opening match to the US by 106 runs and their second game to the hosts, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), by five wickets.
With the latest loss, Nepal remain in seventh place on the WCL 2 points table with 12 points from 19 matches. The US top the standings with 34 points from 23 games.
Invited to bat first after losing the toss, Nepal were all out for 271 runs in 50 overs. The US chased it down in 49 overs with four wickets remaining.
For the US, Saiteja Mukkamalla anchored the chase with a composed 75 off 101 balls. He hit two fours and a six.
Milind Kumar added 70 runs from 66 balls with seven fours and a six, while Shayan Jahangir contributed 36. Skipper Monank Patel made 21, Shubham Ranjane scored 19, Smit Patel contributed 16, while the unbeaten pair of Sanjay Krishnamurthi (15) and Harmeet Singh (13) saw the team home.
Sandeep Lamichhane took three wickets for Nepal, while Karan KC, Nandan Yadav and Gulshan Jha claimed one each.
Earlier, Nepal were bowled out for 271 runs in 50 overs – their highest score in the series so far. Dipendra Singh Airee top-scored with a solid 75 off 67 balls. He hit three sixes and two fours to post his highest individual score of the series. Karan KC added 49, while Kushal Bhurtel scored 47, Bhim Sharki contributed 43, and skipper Rohit Paudel chipped in with 37.
Airee and Paudel shared an 89-run partnership for the fifth wicket, while Bhurtel and Sharki added 86 runs for the second wicket.
For the US, Harmeet Singh picked up three wickets, while Saurabh Netravalkar and Nosthush Kenjige claimed two each. Jasdeep Singh and Shubham Ranjane took one apiece.
Nepal will play their final match of the tri-series against the UAE on November 5.
