Kathmandu, March 1 -- The national women's cricket team returned home from Thailand on Thursday after participating in the ICC Women's World Cup Asia Region Qualifier. In stark contrast to the celebratory response the men's team received on its return, not a single sports official was present at the Tribhuvan International Airport to welcome the women's team.

The women's cricket team finished second in the qualifier. The tournament played in the single round-robin format sent only the table toppers into the Global Qualifiers for the 2020 ICC Twenty20 World Cup and 2021 ICC 50-over World Cup. Nepal's only defeat-to Thailand-shattered its qualification hopes as the hosts made it through, finishing their entire campaign unbeaten.

Despite i...