Denied Visa Earlier, Nepal Cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane to Join Squad for T20 World Cup 2024

Sandeep Lamichhane and Nepal are scheduled to play against South Africa on June 14 and Bangladesh on June 16.

06:13 PM Jun 10, 2024 IST | Shashwat Nishant

Sandeep Lamichhane

Nepal's prominent cricketer, Sandeep Lamichhane, is set to join his team for the Caribbean leg of the T20 World Cup campaign, as announced by the country's cricket association on Monday. Despite interventions from the Nepal government, Lamichhane was twice denied a US visa last month. He had previously been sentenced to eight years for rape, but this was overturned on appeal due to "lack of evidence".

Sandeep Lamichhane has arrived in the West Indies and will play in Nepal's last two group-stage matches in the T20 World Cup 2024. pic.twitter.com/y4gLQJPYhB
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) June 10, 2024

Sandeep Lamichhane To Feature In T20 World Cup

"We would like to inform you that Nepali player Sandeep Lamichhane will be included in the Nepali national cricket team for the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 in West Indies," the CAN said in a statement.

Initially, the 23-year-old was included in Nepal's 15-member squad for the tournament last month. The T20 World Cup is being co-hosted by the United States and the West Indies.

"I am now joining the national team for the last two matches in the West Indies and looking forward to fulfilling my dreams and the dream of all cricket lovers," Lamichhane posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Lamichhane was arrested in October 2022 on charges of raping an 18-year-old woman, resulting in his suspension by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN). Following his acquittal by the Patan High Court in May, he was reinstated by Nepal's top cricket body.

For Lamichhane to be part of the Nepal squad, approval from the ICC's Event Technical Committee is required. Nepal is scheduled to play against South Africa on June 14 and Bangladesh on June 16.

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