Nepal chased 122 runs target losing four wickets with two balls to spare. Gyanendra's knock of 52 runs off 43 balls included a six and six boundaries in Group A match at Stormont in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Captain Paras Khadka, who remained not out on 21 runs off 17 balls, also played an important role as he hit crucial four when Nepal needed eight runs from the last over. It was Sharad Vesawakar (2 off 3) who hit the winning run in the fourth ball of the 20th over for Nepal.
Earlier, Nepal made a poor star while chasing the 122-run target as opener Sagar Pun (6 off 5) was bowled by Jasdeep Singh, who also claimed Gyanendra's wicket in the 15.1 overs.
However, Gyanendra shared the highest 78-run partnership for the second wicket with Anil Mandal (29 off 42) to guide Nepal toward the much needed victory.
Anil, who was a member of the Nepali squad during the ICC World Twenty20 held in Bangladesh last year, hit a boundary. Skipper Paras smashed two fours.
USA's Jasdeep took two wickets of Nepal.
Earlier, three wickets from Basanta Regmi and Shakti Gauchan helped Nepal restrict USA for 121/10 in allotted 20 overs.
Shakti Gauchan gave away only 16 runs, while Basanta gave away 24 runs in his four-over spell.
Sompal Kami, who gave away 22 runs in four overs, bagged two wickets and Sagar Pun took one.
Winning the toss and opting to bat first, USA made good start but Nepali bowlers took control of the game soon as USA lost Fahad Babar (25 runs off 15 balls) in the third over and Shiva Vishishat (3) in the seventh over.
Sagar Pun gave Nepal the breakthough taking Fahad's wicket, while Sompal Kami added pressure on USA with Shiva's wicket.
Opener Akeem Dodson's 39 runs off 33 balls was important for USA to put the modest total on board. Akeem hit a six and four boundaries, while Fahad smashed a six and three fours.
Akeem shared 27 runs stand for the first wicket with Fahad and added 24 runs with Shiva Vashishat (3) for the second wicket.
The fall of Akeem's wicket in the 12.1 over by Shakti helped Nepal restrict the opponents. Shakti also claimed the wickets of Karan Ganesh (15) and Japen Patel (1).
Basanta proved his worth by taking wickets of middle order batsmen Mrunal Patel (7) as well as Timil Patel (2) and tail-ender Adil Bhatti (14).
Nepal will play against Namibia in its second match on Saturday at the same venue.
In another match of Group A, co-host Northern Ireland beat Namibia by seven wickets.
PHOTOS: ICC/Sportfile
T20 Series: Nepal beats USA by 17 runs
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