Kathmandu: Nepal has set a 272-run target against the United States (US) in their third match of the UAE Tri-Series under the ICC World Cup League 2 (WCL-2) at the ICC Academy in Dubai.

Sent in to bat first, Nepal posted 271 runs before being bowled out off the final delivery of the innings, thanks largely to a composed 75-run knock by Dipendra Singh Airee.

Having lost their opening two matches — by 107 runs to the US and seven wickets to the UAE — Nepal entered the contest seeking their first victory of the series.

The innings began on a shaky note as opener Aasif Sheikh fell cheaply for two runs to Nosthush Kenjige. However, Kushal Bhurtel and Bhim Sharki steadied the innings with an 86-run partnership for the second wicket.

Bhurtel contributed a fluent 47 off 65 balls, striking two fours and as many sixes, while Sharki added a 43 off 58 before departing in quick succession with Aarif Sheikh (2), leaving Nepal at 106-4.

Captain Rohit Paudel (36 off 46) and Airee then rebuilt the innings with an 89-run stand for the fifth wicket, injecting stability into the middle order. Airee’s fine 67-ball 75, featuring two fours and three sixes, anchored Nepal’s innings before he was dismissed as the seventh wicket.

In the late surge, the lower order batter Karan KC chipped in effectively, with a brisk 31-ball 49 studded with two boundaries and three sixes, propelling Nepal past the 270-mark.

For the US, left-arm spinner Harmeet Singh was the standout bowler, returning impressive figures of 3-33 from his 10 overs. Saurabh Netravalkar and Nosthush Kenjige claimed two wickets apiece.

In the ongoing three-year League 2 cycle involving eight teams, Nepal currently sit seventh with 16 points from 18 matches, including five wins and two no results.

The United States lead the table with 32 points from 22 matches, followed by Scotland (30 points from 24 games), while the UAE remain at the bottom with eight points from 18.