Nepal suffered another defeat in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 but the signs are positive.

The Rhinos lost to hosts United States by three wickets in Dallas during the US Tri-Series, which also involves Scotland, on Sunday despite valiant half-centuries from Anil Sah, Aasif Sheikh and skipper Rohit Paudel and a four-wicket haul from Kushal Bhurtel.

It was their seventh loss in nine matches in League 2—their one match (against Oman) was abandoned due to rain in Canada, and sit second from bottom in the eight-team standings with just three points.

But things are slowly sticking together for Nepal, as it seems.

They entered the League 2 boosted by a T20I series whitewash over the US and were outstanding against the hosts in the one-day format as well—though their superb innings, especially with the bat, could not save them from the jaws of defeat.

The pairing of Sah and Aasif in the opening order has been working well now.

Sah and Aasif continued their solid partnership adding 98 runs after being invited to bat first. Sah made 56 runs off 62 balls hitting five fours. Aasif smashed seven boundaries and one six in his knock of 53-ball 52.

It laid a solid foundation to Nepal’s innings and Paudel exploited a fine start making 96 off 75 runs to take Nepal to 286 total. It was the only second time this year Nepal have crossed the 200-run total mark since their ODI series sweep against Canada in February.

Aarif Sheikh also contributed 37 runs facing 45 deliveries.

Kushal Bhurtel, who was demoted to lower order due to his poor show and now to number three, could not continue to impress with the bat like he did in the US T20I Series (90 not out in the second T20I and 40 not out in the third T20I) as he was out for 11.

But the part-time bowler was brilliant with the ball. The spinner took 4-23 in his six-over spell.

Sompal Kami, the hero of the Super Over in the second T20I against the US, also made his mark taking 2-37 while bowling 6.4 overs.

But Shayan Jahangir seized the game from Nepal with a blistering century. Player of the match Jahangir cracked 104 off 97 balls that featured 12 fours and four sixes.

Jahangir’s innings received support from half-centuries from captain Monank Patel (62 off 76) and Harmeet Singh (57 off 44) as the US overhauled the 287-run target in 49.4 overs.

Despite the loss, Nepal will look to carry their renewed strength against the Scoland when the two sides clash on Tuesday.