Nepal strives to include Lamichhane in T20 World Cup despite visa denial

Lamichhane's eight-year rape sentence was quashed on appeal just last week, prompting renewed interest in his selection

PHOTO: AFP

Nepal on Thursday revealed their continued efforts to include the controversial star Sandeep Lamichhane in their T20 World Cup squad, despite the leg-spinner being denied a US visa.

Lamichhane's eight-year rape sentence was quashed on appeal just last week, prompting renewed interest in his selection.

Cricket Association of Nepal president Chatur Bahadur Chand confirmed to AFP that they are "trying to see if we can still make it possible for him to join."

Lamichhane, the former captain, expressed his disappointment on social media, stating that the US Embassy in Nepal had "denied my visa for the T20 World Cup," calling the decision "unfortunate."

Once a celebrated figure in Nepali cricket, Lamichhane, 23, was initially excluded from the squad due to his conviction for raping a young woman in a Kathmandu hotel in 2022. This T20 World Cup marks Nepal's second appearance, with their opening match against the Netherlands scheduled for June 4 in Dallas. They will also face South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh in the group stage.

Lamichhane's legal troubles began in 2022 when an arrest warrant was issued while he was in Jamaica for the Caribbean Premier League. He failed to return immediately, leading to his dismissal as national captain and subsequent arrest. However, his playing ban was lifted when he was released on bail, allowing him to compete in events such as last year's Asia Cup in Pakistan and Sri Lanka until his conviction in January.

Despite cricket not being as popular in Nepal as in other South Asian countries, the sport has been gaining traction, especially after Nepal achieved one-day international status in 2018. Lamichhane played a significant role in this rise, becoming the most sought-after Nepali cricketer in international T20 leagues, with his big break coming in 2018 when he was signed for the Indian Premier League, the world's richest cricket tournament.

The T20 World Cup will commence on June 1 in the United States and the West Indies, with Nepal's participation drawing considerable attention amidst the controversy surrounding Lamichhane.