Nepal defeated the United States by eight wickets in the third T20I to romp to a T20I Series whitewash over the hosts at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas on Monday.

The 3-0 series sweep ahead of the US Tri-Series of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 is a huge confidence boost for Nepal, who have experienced their worst this year.

The US Tri-series of the League 2, which also involves Scotland, will begin at the same venue on Sunday.

Nepal lost three of the four matches of the Canada Tri-series of the League 2—their last match of the tri-series against Oman was abandoned due to rain—last month.

The Rhinos also lost three matches of the home tri-series involving the Netherlands and Namibia in February.

Nepal sit second from bottom in the eight-team League 2 table with just one victory in eight matches.

Rohit Paudel’s team also failed to qualify for the Asia Cup—and even the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup for the first time since 2018—following a nightmare ACC Men’s T20 Premier Cup campaign in Al Amerat, Oman in April.

But things are turning sweet again for Nepal, who last year completed a miracle winning 11 out of 12 matches in a span of one month to book their spot in the 2023 World Cup Qualifiers.

This was Nepal’s fifth T20I victory following a no show in League 2 in Canada, after also beating Oman twice in the Canada T20I series.

Kushal Bhurtel is gradually finding his form after spending all the year as the biggest flop of the squad. Bhurtel, who was dropped to the lower order from the opening line up in Canada and now promoted to number three, hit unbeaten 92 against the US in the second T20I and played an unconquered 32-ball 40 in the third T20I to help Nepal overhaul the target of 157 given by the US.

Kushal Malla finally swung his bat as he posted 44 not out off 30 balls to complete the victory.

Nepal’s new opening pair of Anil Sah and Aasif Sheikh has also produced good fruit. Sah has continued to impress in his new position, while Aasif hit a half-century against the US in the third T20I, helping Nepal score 54 runs in the powerplay.

Gulsan Jha struggled in Dallas but he was in his finest form during the League 2 in Canada and the same can be expected during the US Tri-series.

Sompal Kami shone the brightest in Dallas. His deadliest Super Over restricted the US to 2 runs in the second T20I and also took 3-27 in the third T20I to help Nepal limit the US to 156-5.

Sandeep Lamichhane will also become available for the League 2 after the US Embassy in Kathmandu finally granted him a visa and his presence will be a big boost to Nepali’s bowling unit.