Nepal’s winless run in the Nepal Women T20I Tri-Series continued as they slumped to a five-run defeat against Thailand in a last-over thriller at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Tuesday.

The defeat also ended Nepal’s hopes of clinching the trophy at home, as they remain at the foot of the standings without a single victory.

Chasing a modest target of 107, Nepal required 15 runs from the final over to seal their maiden win and revive their fading hopes.

However, Nattaya Boochatham delivered a tight last over, running out Alisha Yadav off the first ball of the 20th over and conceding just nine runs, restricting Nepal to 101-8.

Roma Thapa, who was unbeaten with 19 off 19, added seven runs off three deliveries in the last over, while Rachana Chaudhary could only contribute two runs, as Nepal’s effort proved insufficient.

Thailand’s Thipatcha Putthawong was the destroyer-in-chief as she tormented Nepal’s batters from the onset, returning sensational figures of 4-10, including a maiden over.

Phannita Maya also shone with the ball with 2-11.

Maya set the tone for Thailand early, dismissing Mamta Chaudhary for a duck in the first over.

Putthawong then claimed the wicket of captain Indu Barma (3) before Bindu Rawal fell to a run-out.

Putthawong continued with the deadly spell by dispatching Samjhana Khadka (5), before Maya struck again, taking out Rubina Chhetry, who had offered some resistance with 26 runs off 30 balls.

Putthawon then took the crucial wicket of Puja Mahato (18 off 26) to reduce Nepal to 56-6.

A late counterattack from Kabita Joshi (24 off 20) revived Nepal’s hopes by taking Nepal near the target but Putthawon intervened once again to remove Joshi dashing Nepal’s hopes of a successful chase.

Roma Thapa made valiant efforts at death but Nepal ultimately fell short.

Putthawong also shone with the bat with 25 not out off 31 balls to lift Thailand from a precarious 56-6 to a competitive 106-6.

Opting to bat first, Thailand suffered a middle-order collapse but managed to post a defendable total, thanks to a crucial seven-wicket partnership.

Boochatham (10 off 9) and Aphisara Suwanchonrathi (17 off 19) added 18 runs for the opening wicket to provide a steady start for Thailand, before Mahato had Boochatham caught by Barma in the third over.

Suwanchonrathi departed in the seventh over, trapped lbw by Manisha Upadhyaya (3-18), who continued a stellar performance at her debut series.

Upadhyaya, who made her debut for the national team on February 1, finished with figures of 3-18. She next removed Natthakan Chantham for a duck before running out captain Naruemol Chaiwai (0), leaving Thailand struggling at 32-4.

Maya also departed quickly adding just one before Upadhyaya ended Nannapat Koncharoenkai’s resistance at 19 off 23 balls in the 13th over.

Upadhyaya has already taken seven wickets in her three international matches.

But Putthawong put on a 50-run stand with Chanida Suttiruang for the seventh wicket to guide Thailand to a defendable total.

Sutthiruang played a crucial supporting role, remaining unbeaten on 27 off 28 balls.

A fourth straight win in as many matches puts Thailand firmly on top of the table with eight points.

Netherlands are second with four points from four matches.

Nepal, still searching for a win in this series, will play the Netherlands on Wednesday.