Hosts Nepal edged Uganda by 15 runs to register their first victory after the fourth match in an already lost five-match Twenty20 International series at the TU ground in Kirtipur on Friday.

Electing to bat first, Nepal were bowled out for 97 runs in 17.5 overs after the game reduced to 18 overs per side owing to a wet outfield. In the run chase, Uganda managed 82-8.

The first victory for the home team meant Nepal avoided the prospect of series sweep by visitors who lead 3-1. The last match of the series is scheduled for Saturday.

Like in the previous three games, Nepal struggled with the bat. Only three batters — openers Jyoti Pandey and Bindu Rawal, and Sita Rana Magar — managed to score double-digit figures. Pandey played a quickfire 13-ball 17, the highest score for the home team. She hit four fences before being caught and bowled by Janet Mbabazi in the fourth over.

Rawal contributed 16 runs facing 35 deliveries that included a boundary. She was trapped leg before by Concy Aweko in the 12th over. Rana Magar was run out for 11. She hit two boundaries in her eight-ball knock. Nepal were also given 27 extra runs.

Other Nepali batters Indu Barma (1), Sarita Magar (2), captain Rubina Chhetry (1), Apsari Begam (4), Dolly Bhatta (6), Asmina Karmacharya (6) and Hiranmayee Roy (0) were out cheaply while Kabita Kunwar was not out on six runs.

Uganda's Concy Aweko was the pick of bowling claiming three wickets. She conceded 13 runs in her four-over spell. Sarah Akiteng grabbed two wickets.

In the run chase, Janet Mbabazi contributed 21 off 32, the highest of the Uganda innings. She struck a fence before being bowled by debutant leg spinner Roy.

Rita Nyangendo and Evelyn Anyipo both contributed 16 runs each. Nyangendo faced 24 deliveries before she was run out while Anyipo struck two fences in her 11 ball knock. She was bowled by Kunwar. Opener Kevino Awino was the other batter for Uganda to contribute in double figure scoring 11 off 18. She hit a fence and was run out in the sixth over.

Debutant Roy picked two wickets for Nepal. The player-of-the-match gave away two wickets in her three-over spell. Kunwar, Karmacharya and Chhetri claimed one wicket each.