Nepal succumbed to their second defeat against Zimbabwe in five days as they faced a 40-run loss on Tuesday in their third match of the T20 Tri-Series at the Indian Association Grounds in Singapore.

Despite losing their first match against Zimbabwe on Friday, Nepal had bounced back against hosts Singapore. Inspired by Paras Khadka, Nepal not only recorded nine-wicket win over the hosts but the skipper also added several records to his name. Khadka scored 106 runs from 52 balls against Singapore while becoming the first Nepali cricketer to score a century in Twenty20 internationals.

But chasing a modest target of 161 against the Rhodesia, Nepal never really appeared the same side that thumped the hosts as Nepal managed only 120 runs for the loss of nine wickets in regulation 20 overs. Opening batsman Ishan Pandey was replaced by Pawan Sarraf for this particular match, but the decision appeared to have backfired as Sarraf could not even open his account. Sarraf was caught by Mashinge off Zimbabwe skipper Sean Williams in the sixth ball of the first over while Dipendra Singh Airee was the next victim who was sent packing by Chatara in the second over when Nepal had only five runs on the board.

Nelson struck at 33 as skipper Khadka (12 runs) was caught by Munyonga off Williams who had a great day with both bat and the ball. Aarif Sheikh hit the fence three times with one over the boundary before he was caught by Chakabvafell off Mutombodzi on 25 runs. Kushal Malla who debuted for Nepal in the series yet again failed to exhibit his potential as he could only add five runs. Sompal Kami could not revive Nepal's chances as he was sent to pavilion with eight runs. Karan KC managed to hit a six and a four in his 18 runs off 10 balls. Binod Bhandari top-scored for Nepal with 33 runs from 35 balls hitting four fours before being stumped by Mutumbami off Williams. Sandeep Lamichhane (5) and Avinash Bohara (3) remained unbeaten for Nepal.

Put to bat first, Zimbabwe made a shaky start losing their opener Brian Chari for a duck. He was trapped leg before by Sandeep Lamichhane in the fourth ball of the first over. Sompal Kami then clean bowled Regis Chakabva in the fourth over. Aggressive batsman Peter Moor was another casualty to the spin bowling of Lamichhane in the fifth over.

Despite the tumbling of wickets early on, a 60-run partnership between skipper Sean Williams and Tinotenda Mutombodzi resurrected Zimbabwe innings. It was in the last ball of the 13th over Kami came to Nepal's rescue to avoid any further haemorrhage of runs as Tinotenda was found leg-before-wicket. Skipper Khadka bowled his counterpart Williams as the Zimbabwe captain made his way back to the pavilion having scored 53 runs in 35 balls. His splendid innings included four fours and three sixes. Low order batsman Ryan Burl chipped in with 28 runs from 21 balls while Richmond Mutumbami hit 17 runs from 16 balls. Except for Kami who gave away only 15 runs from his four overs spell while picking two wickets, all other Nepali bowlers remained expensive.

The outcome put Zimbabwe, who had lost against Singapore, on the top of the table with four points from two matches. Nepal and Singapore both have two points but the hosts are placed third on net run-rate. Nepal will take on hosts Singapore in their last match on Wednesday.