Kathmandu: Nepal’s batting line-up crumbled around opener Arjun Kumal as they suffered a 24-run defeat in a crucial ICC World Cup League 2 Tri-Series encounter at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground on Saturday.

The defeat leaves Nepal needing a victory in their final match of the four-year league cycle against hosts Oman on Monday to secure automatic ODI status for the next cycle.

Nepal slipped to seventh in the standings with 28 points, while Canada moved into sixth place with 29 points after completing all 36 matches. Nepal have one fixture remaining against Oman. Nepal had defeated Canada by 24 runs in the series opener.

Chasing a target of 257, Nepal were bowled out for 232 in 46 overs despite Kumal’s determined effort. Canada had earlier posted 256 in 50 overs, powered by opener Yuvraaj Samra’s career-best 105 off 117 balls.

Kumal offered Nepal hope with his maiden ODI half-century but received little support from the other end. Nepal failed to register a single partnership of 50 runs during the innings.

The 20-year-old scored 87 off 112 balls, striking four boundaries before departing as the sixth wicket. Nepal lost their final three wickets for just 16 runs in the 46th over.

Middle-order batter Dipendra Singh Airee was Nepal’s second-highest scorer, contributing 27 off 32 balls, including two boundaries.

Aasif Sheikh (20), Ishan Pandey (21), Rohit Paudel (18) and Gulshan Jha (21) also reached double figures, while Karan KC remained unbeaten on 17.

For Canada, Sukhjinder Singh claimed 3-38 in his 10-over spell, while Sheel Patel (2-32) and Kaleem Sana (2-50) took two wickets each.

Earlier, Canada were bowled out for 256 after opting to bat first, with opener Yuvraaj Samra leading the charge with his maiden ODI century.

Yuvraaj struck 11 boundaries and four sixes in his 105-run knock, sharing a 72-run opening partnership with Aaron Johnson, who scored 36 off 53 balls, including five boundaries.

Johnson was bowled by spinner Lalit Rajbanshi, while Dipendra Singh Airee had Yuvraaj caught by Karan KC in the 44th over, leaving Canada four wickets down.

Harsh Thaker (34), captain Hamza Tariq (30) and Samit Gohel (17) were among Canada’s other notable contributors.

Lalit was Nepal’s leading bowler, claiming 4-39 in his 10 overs, including two maidens. Captain Sandeep Lamichhane took 3-49, also bowling a maiden over, while Dipendra claimed 2-49 in nine overs.