Picture Credit: X

Picture Credit: X

Nepal’s ace spinner Sandeep Lamichhane has once again got into limelight after he was given a suspension by Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN). This comes after he was acquitted of a rape case by the Patan High Court earlier in June 2024, overturning the decision of the Kathmandu District Court to sentence him to eight years in prison.

Following the ruling, the CAN lifted the two-year long suspension, opening a return for him in the national colours. But months after this ruling, the Nepal spinner was handed a one-match suspension in the ongoing domestic matches for breaking the code of conduct. He has also been handed three demerit points.

Sandeep Lamichhane handed one-match suspension by CAN

The 24-year-old was penalised on the basis of the decision of the match referee and the technical committee. According to the CAN Code of Conduct, he was found violating Section 2.7. Lamichhane voiced his dissatisfaction and criticised the umpire’s decision in a post shared on Facebook.

“I shouldn’t be saying this, but the standard of umpiring in Nepal needs significant improvement. It has remained stagnant for a long time, and if necessary steps are not taken, countless players may continue to suffer due to incorrect decisions in the future. We provide the captain’s report to the referee, yet I don’t see any changes happening. Enhancing the quality of umpiring is crucial for the fair growth of the game and the development of players. Hopefully, the concerned authorities will take notice and work towards necessary improvements,” Lamichhane wrote in a Facebook post.