Right-arm leg-break Sandeep Lamichhane is set to join the Nepal squad in the West Indies after sitting out Nepal’s first two matches in the USA.
Ahead of the start of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, Nepal cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane has been denied USA visa to participate in the tournament by the US Embassy in Nepal.
Sandeep Lamichhane to Join T20 World Cup in West Indies
Lamichhane who was recently acquitted from the rape case by the Patan High Court was expected to join the Nepal squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup but his US Visa denial turned things down.
Without their star leg spinner, Nepal lost their game by 6 wickets against the Netherlands and will also be without him for their next clash set to be played against Sri Lanka in Florida on Wednesday.
Sandeep will join the squad for their final two matches set to be played against South Africa and Bangladesh at Kingstown, and St Vincent respectively.
Sandeep Lamichhane played 52 T20I matches for Nepal bagged 98 wickets and is on the verge of reaching the triple-digit wicket count. His 98 wickets also include one five-wicket haul.
“I would like to thank the Government of Nepal, Foreign Ministry, Sports Ministry, National Sports Council and Cricket Association of Nepal for their support to help get me a US visa but unfortunately it did not work out this time.
I am now joining the National team for the last two matches in the West Indies and look forward to fulfilling my dreams and the dream of all cricket lovers.” Lamichhane said in a statement posted on social media, where the legspinner also deplores criticism of CAN president Chatur Bahadur Chand and secretary Paras Khadka.
CAN confirmed the move in a similar statement, “Nepal player Sandeep Lamichhane will leave for the West Indies to join the Nepal team for the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Following the decision of the honourable Patan High Court on May 15th, CAN decided to keep young bowler Pratish Ji as travelling reserve and include Lamichhane in the 15-member list submitted to the ICC.
We sincerely hope all Nepali cricket supporters will unite and cheer for the Nepal team in this grand festival of cricket in which Nepal is participating for the first time in ten years”
Nepal will play their next match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 against Sri Lanka on June 11 in Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill, Florida.
