Nepal-A lost the three-match T20 series 2-0 after suffering a 40-run defeat against Ireland Wolves in the second T20 at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Kathmandu on Saturday.

Chasing a huge target of 225, Nepal were bowled out for 184 in 17.5 overs, thanks to another poor show from middle and lower order batters.

Nepal-A had lost their first T20 against the Wolves by 21 runs on Friday.

Openers Lokesh Bam, who had scored a century in the first T20 against the visiting team, and Dev Khanal gave Nepal a blistering start building a 47-run partnership for the opening wicket.

Bam played an aggressive knock of 13-ball 25 that featured three fours and two sixes before falling to Fionn Hand in the fourth over.

Skipper Binod Bhandari and Khanal worked together to amass 87 runs from the powerplay but Ben White struck twice, immediately removing Bhandari in the seventh over and Khanal in the ninth to keep the Wolves in the contest.

Bhandari scored 26 runs off 13 balls. Khanal top scored for the home team with 47 runs off 25 deliveries.

Nepal were well-placed at 116-3 after nine overs but surrendered the game after the remaining batters failed to build on the good start.

Basir Ahamad made a struggling 27, Aarif Sheikh played 10-ball 14, Pawan Sarraf scored 10 and Kamal Airee 11. Kiran Thagunna, Rashid Khan, Bipin Khatri could not touch double digit figures.

White was the pick of the Irish bowlers, taking 3-29. Hand and Thomas Mayes also took two wickets each, while Matthew Foster and Gareth Delany pocketed one each.

Earlier, the Wolves, who were invited to bat first, scored 224-6 from their 20 overs after Peter Moor and captain Neil Rock scored half-centuries.

Openers Ross Adair (17 runs off 20 balls) and James McCollum (26 runs off 13 balls) gave Ireland a steady start with a 37-run partnership.

But Sagar Dhakal hit back dismissing both the openers and Stephen Dohney for a cheap four.

Cade Carmichael also departed soon after scoring one, leaving the Wolves at 66-4.

But Moor and Rock put on a 61-run stand for the fifth wicket to guide the tourists to a big total.

Moor scored 65 runs off 26 balls that included three boundaries and seven maximums.

Rock played an unconquered knock of 34-ball 71, hitting one four and seven sixes.

Airee and Sarraf also took a wicket apiece for Nepal-A.

The third and final T20 is scheduled for Monday.

Ireland Wolves will also play three ODs against Nepal-A following the conclusion of the T20 series.

The Wolves also played two T20 matches against the senior men’s cricket team earlier this week.

The senior team, who are preparing for the upcoming ACC Men’s T20 Premier Cup and T20 World Cup, are currently on India tour where they will play against state teams of Gujarat and Baroda in Vapi in the SMS Friendship Cup, starting Sunday.