Fans in Kathmandu protest for Sandeep Lamichhane ahead of 2024 T20 World Cup

Fans in Kathmandu organized a protest demanding a visa for Sandeep Lamichhane to enable his participation in the 2024 T20 World Cup scheduled to take place in the USA and West Indies next month. 

Lamichhane, still unable to join the Nepal team in the USA for the T20 World Cup, had his US visa denied, sparking outrage among his supporters.

Protesters took to the streets, expressing their anger over the visa denial. Demonstrations were held outside the Prime Minister’s building in Baluwatar, with plans to protest outside the US embassy in hopes of pressuring authorities to grant the visa for Nepal's star cricketer.

On May 15, the Patan High Court overturned the Kathmandu District Court’s decision and acquitted Lamichhane in a rape case. Following the court’s ruling, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) lifted his suspension the same day. 

This decision cleared the way for Nepal’s premier leg-spin bowler to secure a spot in the World Cup squad. However, despite CAN's efforts, Lamichhane's participation faced a setback when his US visa was denied on May 22.

Lamichhane was instrumental in helping Nepal secure a spot in the T20 World Cup after ten years, taking nine wickets during the T20 World Cup Asia Qualifiers and emerging as Nepal’s leading wicket-taker. 

Nepal will play a second warm-up game against the USA on May 30 before facing the Netherlands in the tournament’s first match.

Nepal’s squad for T20 World Cup 2024

Rohit Paudel (c), Aasif Sheikh, Anil Kumar Sah, Kushal Bhurtel, Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Lalit Rajbanshi, Karan KC, Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami, Pratis GC, Sundeep Jora, Abinash Bohara, Sagar Dhakal, Kamal Singh Airee.