Sandeep Lamichhane could be included in the squad for Nepal’s Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series against Namibia and Scotland at home in Kirtipur, his first appearance since his arrest last year. . Lamechane is currently out on bail, facing charges of allegedly sexually assaulting another man. Nepal’s squad for this series is likely to be announced by February 10. His name is included in the 14-man squad sent to the ICC for registration – as the event is an ICC tournament – but that could change when the squad is officially announced. .
His possible selection was signposted after the Cricket Association of Nepal overturned his suspension last week. Lamichhane is training with the team in the pre-series camp.
The lifting of the suspension was followed by protests in Nepal over the weekend, calling for a boycott of the upcoming games against Namibia and Scotland. Cricket Scotland and Cricket Namibia released statements, saying Lamechane’s availability was a matter for CAN and the ICC to consider.
“Cricket Scotland is aware of reports regarding the legal status of Nepal’s Sandeep Lamichhane ahead of the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 qualifiers.
“As a governing body, and as a squad, Cricket Scotland stands firmly against all forms of abuse, which have no place in modern society.
“The availability of players for these games is a matter for the Nepal Cricket Association and the ICC to consider.”
“Cricket Namibia strongly opposes all forms of gender-based violence, discrimination and abuse,” the Namibian board said in a statement.
On Monday, Pakistan wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan met Lamichhane in Nepal, discussing the development of the game in the country with the team and board. The visit drew criticism from Rizwan on social media.
Bertrand Khanal, CAN’s general manager, had previously told ESPNcricinfo that the decision to lift the suspension and allow Lamchane to play in the tri-series was on the condition that he “respects the limit set” by the court. Who had given them bail. January this year. And if there was to be a visit to Nepal, Lamichhane’s participation would depend on whether the court allowed him to do so or not.
The suspension came after an arrest warrant was issued against Lamechane in Kathmandu in September last year. He was granted bail of about US$15,300 but was barred from leaving the country pending a final decision.
Lamichhane, 22, is Nepal’s most high-profile cricketer, and the only one to have played in T20 leagues in most parts of the world, including the IPL, BBL, PSL, BPL, and CPL. Lamichhane was in the West Indies with his CPL team Jamaica Tallahassee when the news of the arrest warrant came out. He then returned to Nepal, and was detained on October 6.
He is also the second fastest bowler in the world to take 50 ODI wickets and the third fastest bowler to take 50 T20I wickets, and last played international cricket in August 2022 in a T20I series against Kenya. He was also Nepal’s captain at the time of the arrest warrant, a post he lost after his suspension. Rohit Padil will lead Nepal in the series against Namibia and Scotland.
