Nepal’s cricket authorities announced on Thursday their determination to include Sandeep Lamichhane, a controversial star spinner, in their T20 World Cup squad despite his recent visa denial for the United States.
Despite the setback, the Cricket Association of Nepal expressed their eagerness to have Lamichhane on the team, exploring options to facilitate his participation in the tournament.
Lamichhane, whose eight-year sentence for rape was overturned on appeal last week, disclosed that his visa application for the T20 World Cup had been rejected by the US Embassy in Nepal, lamenting the decision as “unfortunate.”
The 23-year-old, once hailed as the face of cricket in Nepal, had initially been excluded from the squad due to his prior conviction for sexual assault in 2022. However, Nepal’s cricket authorities are keen to capitalize on his talents, particularly given his significant contribution to the sport’s popularity in the Himalayan nation.
As Nepal gears up for their second appearance in the T20 World Cup, facing the Netherlands in their opening match in Dallas on June 4, Lamichhane’s potential inclusion remains a subject of intense debate and scrutiny.
Despite the legal challenges he has faced, Lamichhane remains a beloved figure among cricket fans in Nepal, and his participation in the tournament could have significant implications for the team’s performance and morale.
Cricket in Nepal has been on an upward trajectory in recent years, with the country granted one-day international status by the International Cricket Council in 2018. Lamichhane’s success in international T20 leagues has played a pivotal role in raising the profile of Nepali cricket on the global stage. While the visa denial presents a significant hurdle, Nepal remains hopeful of finding a solution that would allow Lamichhane to represent his country in the prestigious T20 World Cup, underscoring the enduring importance of cricket as a unifying force in the nation’s sporting landscape.
