Nepal A gained a consolation win, beating Ireland Wolves by three runs in a contest that ebbed and flowed throughout in Kathmandu.

Chasing 214, the tourists were in deep trouble at 52 for 4  in the 8th over, despite a rapid 31 from opener Ross Adair.

The chase was reignited by a sparkling fifth wicket stand of 129 in 63 balls by top-scorer Gareth Delany - who cleared the ropes five times in his 68 from 37 balls.

There was also a half century for Morgan Topping - whose 60 also came fom 37 deliveries (four sixes and fours).

Both perished in a tense finale, but Fionn Hand - named Player of the Series - kept his side in the hunt with a quickfire 22 from seven balls, before being run out from the penultimate ball.

Liam McCarthy couldn't get the boundary required from the last ball - a high full toss that wasn't called by the umpires, leading to an animated debate in the Irish camp with the officials that was continued after the game by the coaches.

It shouldn't detract though from what has been a thrilling series between two evenly matched teams.

The Nepal total of 213 for 7 was down primarily to Aarif Sheikh's unbeaten 93 - 7 fours, 6 sixes - which saw the hosts finish strongly - an incredible 65 coming in the last three overs as death bowling continues to be a problem for all Irish sides.

The teams now switch to 50-overs matches, with the first down for decision on Wednesday.