T20 World Cup 2024: Sandeep Lamichhane To Join Nepal In West Indies For Last Two League Matches After Being Denied US Visa

T20 World Cup 2024: Sandeep Lamichhane, the Nepal leg-spinner, is all set to join the team in the Caribbean islands for their last 2 league-stage matches. Notably, Nepal’s most high-profile cricketer was denied a US visa twice which meant that he could not be with the team for all their matches.

However, with the team scheduled to play their last two league stage fixtures in the West Indies, Lamichhane will be able to feature in them.

The same news was confirmed by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), in an official statement. Notably, Lamichhane had received an 8-year prison sentence of rape but the decision was overturned by a high court due to “lack of evidence”.

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While it looked like Lamichhane might be able to play in the T20 World Cup after the decision was overturned, he was denied the US visa despite intervention from the Nepal government.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 is being co-hosted by the USA and West Indies.

“We would like to inform you that Nepali player Sandeep Lamichhane will be included in the Nepali national cricket team for the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in West Indies,” the CAN said in a statement.

Sandeep Lamichhane too took to social media to share the news.

“I am now joining the national team for the last two matches in the West Indies and looking forward to fulfilling my dreams and the dream of all cricket lovers,” Lamichhane wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Namaste 🙏
Hello from West Indies.🏝️❤️ pic.twitter.com/7w6y6lEslO

— Sandeep Lamichhane (@Sandeep25) June 10, 2024

Sandeep Lamichhane likely to miss T20 World Cup after US embassy denies him Visa

Meanwhile, Nepal started their campaign with a defeat against the Netherlands in their first match. They will take on Sri Lanka in their second match before Nepal travel to the Caribbean Islands which is where Lamichhane will be able to join them. Nepal’s matches against South Africa and Bangladesh are scheduled at the Arnos Vale Ground, Kingstown, St Vincent.