Nepal-A lost their first one-day match to Ireland Wolves by 21 runs after their batting fumbled at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Wednesday.

Chasing a paltry 158-run target, the hosts fizzled out, managing just 136 in 25.3 overs, with Shahab Alam’s 37 providing the top score for Nepal.

Liam McCarthy (5-0-29-4) and Matthew Humphreys (10-3-32-5) were the thorns in Nepal-A’s flesh.

Nepal seemed heading for a comfortable chase in the beginning when openers Dev Khanal and Arjun Kumal started well, adding 35 runs.

But McCarthy and Humphreys struck mercilessly as helpless Nepal-A collapsed spectacularly handing the Wolves a 1-0 series lead.

Khanal’s 26 was the second highest score for the hosts.

McCarthy started the demolition removing both openers in the sixth over. Kumal was out for nine.

The Wolves introduced Humphreys in the seventh over and the spinner immediately breathed fire, dispatching Bhim Sharki for a golden duck with his first ball and Aarif Sheikh (0) five balls later.

McCarthy next got rid of Arjun Saud (4) in the eighth over and skipper Binod Bhandari (9) in the 10th over for his fourth victim to reduce Nepal-A to 56-6.

Basir Ahamad managed double digits adding 20 and Alam gave the hosts some hope scoring four boundaries and one six in his 34-ball knock but ruthless Humphreys overpowered the lower order as Nepal-A fell 21 runs short.

Rijan Dhakal was the last man standing with 12 not out.

Earlier, the Wolves opted to bat first but were bowled out for just 157, thanks to a Kamal Airee who took four wickets including a hat-trick.

The visitors had a slow start to their innings, losing openers James McCollum to Dhakal for 12 in the sixth over and Stephen Doheny to Alam, also for 12 in the ninth over. Peter Moor also departed after making 21 runs, bowled by Mousam Dhakal, as the Wolves limped to 61-3 in the 18th over.

But half-centurian Cade Carmichael put on a 65-run stand with captain Neil Rock to lift the Wolves to 126-4 after 29 overs.

Airee trapped Rock (39) leg before in the 28.3 overs, triggering a dramatic downfall that saw Gareth Delany (6), Fionn Hand (0) returning back to the pavilion without making any significant contributions before Carmichael departed scoring 51 runs in the 36.2 overs. Carmichael hit four boundaries in his patient 77-ball knock.

Airee then removed McCarthy, Humphreys and Ben White in the successive balls in the 39th over to wrap up the tourists for a low total.

Aerie finished his innings with magical 6.3-1-21-4 figures.

Alam and Dhakal took two wickets each, while Dhakal picked one wicket for Nepal-A.

The sides play their second OD on Friday and third OD on Sunday.

Nepal-A and Ireland Wolves also played a three-match T20 series from March 29 to April 4. The Wolves won the series 2-1.