Nepali national cricket team returned to Kathmandu Monday after a defeat with Fiji in the semi-final match of the ICC World Cup Qualifying Series Division-II played in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur.

Nepal’s hopes to play the World Cup 2007 were dashed as it lost to Fiji by mere three runs in Friday’s match. Earlier, defeating Kuwait, Nepal had secured place in the semis.

Upon arrival at the Tribhuvan Airport, captain Binod Das – visibly disappointed – said the team tumbled on Friday as the top order batsmen could not give their best.

Defeating Qatar in the playoff on Saturday, Nepal ranked third in the group.