Nepal’s Sandeep Lamichhane ready for T20 World Cup after being cleared of rape charges

Nepal pacer Sandeep Lamichhane is likely to be added to their T20 World Cup 2024 squad after he got cleared from rape charges by an appeal court on Wednesday, May 15. The Nepal Cricket Board (NCB) president said, that efforts will be made to include Lamichhane’s name in the squad.

The 23-year-old all-rounder, who had his conviction quashed, had previously been sentenced to 8 years for sexual assault after a lower court found him guilty of raping an 18-year-old girl.

Nepal cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane sentenced 8 yers in jail for rape, ordered to pay hefty compensation to victim

Chatur Bahadur also confirmed that the national cricket body of Nepal raised the suspension that was imposed on Sandeep. He was not added to the T20 World Cup 2024 squad which Nepal announced on May 1.

“He has been set free by the law, and we are happy for him. He was sentenced to jail by the lower courts, but today the high court set him free. We have removed the suspension as well, and we have time until the 25th to include him in the World Cup squad,” Nepal board president Bahdur said.

“I will talk to the selection committee and will also write to the ICC. After taking permission from the technical committee, we will add him to the squad. I am trying my best; let’s hope for the best.”

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— CAN (@CricketNep) May 15, 2024

Nepal Cricket Board announced all-rounder Rohit Paudel as the captain of their 15-member T20 World Cup squad. However, all teams have until May 25 to announce changes to their squad without having to seek the permission of the ICC Technical Committee.

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Sandeep Lamichhane, who is the only player from Nepal have played in the IPL, has played 51 T20Is and 52 ODIs. He last played for Nepal in November 2023.