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Sandeep Lamichhane, Nepal’s prominent cricketer, revealed on Wednesday that his visa application for the United States had been denied by the US embassy. This decision prevents him from participating in the upcoming T20 World Cup, a significant event where he aimed to make his return following a legal battle. Lamichhane, Nepal’s only player to have competed in the Indian Premier League (IPL), faces a major blow with this denial.
Acquittal and comeback hopes
Lamichhane’s cricketing journey hit a rough patch after he was arrested in September 2022 on charges of raping an 18-year-old girl. He was later released on bail but faced suspension from playing both domestically and internationally. Recently, an appeals court acquitted the 23-year-old leg-spinner, prompting the International Cricket Council (ICC) to clear him for inclusion in Nepal’s World Cup squad.
Expressing disappointment
Chatur Bahadur Chand, president of the Cricket Association of Nepal, had indicated that Lamichhane was being considered for the World Cup team. However, the visa denial means he will miss this critical tournament and Lamichhane shared his frustration on social media.
“The @USEmbassyNepal did it again, just like in 2019, denying my visa for the T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies. Unfortunate. I am sorry to all the well-wishers of Nepal Cricket,” Lamichhane posted on X, referencing a previous visa denial in 2019 when he aimed to compete in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
Also READ: “He was not guilty” – Sandeep Lamichhane’s lawyer on declaring Nepal cricketer innocent of rape charges
And the @USEmbassyNepal did it again what they did back in 2019, they denied my Visa for the T-20 World Cup happening in USA and West Indies. Unfortunate. I am sorry to all the well wishers of Nepal Cricket. @USAmbNepal @CricketNep. https://t.co/xdBhaY6G91
— Sandeep Lamichhane (@Sandeep25) May 22, 2024
Career highlights
Throughout his career, Lamichhane has been a standout performer, taking 112 wickets in 51 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and nearing a milestone in T20 internationals with 98 wickets in 52 matches. His contributions have been instrumental in putting Nepal on the international cricket map.
Nepal’s T20 World Cup campaign
As Nepal prepare for their second T20 World Cup, they find themselves in Group D, alongside formidable teams such as South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands. Led by all-rounder Rohit Paudel, the team is set to begin their campaign against the Dutch side on June 4 at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas.