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Nepal leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane has been denied a visa by the US Embassy in Nepal ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. With this decision, Lamichhane will not be able represent his country in the World Cup. The 23-year-old was proven innocent in his sexual assault case which led to his suspension from the Nepal national team over the last two years.
Sandeep Lamichhane was accused of rape in 2022 after a police complaint was filed against him by a girl. Lamichhane was arrested in October 2022 and then in January 2023, Nepal court ordered his release on bail of Rs 2 million. As legal proceedings continued, Lamichhane was suspended from playing in foreign leagues.
Sandeep Lamichhane to not participate in T20 World Cup 2024
Then in January 2024, Lamichhane was sentenced to eight years in prison before High Court Patan declared him not guilty overturning the decision by Kathmandu district court of Nepal in May. After the ruling, Lamichhane applied for the visa which was rejected and had a visa interview at the US Embassy in Kathmandu on May 30 which also was rejected.
A Spokesperson issued a statement at the US Embassy in Kathmandu, as per MyRepublica, said, “The US Embassy is extremely excited to have Nepal’s men’s national cricket team, the Rhinos, participating in the T20 World Cup in the United States and, in fact, a few Embassy officials met with them a few weeks ago to appreciate and encourage them before they headed out. We are wishing the entire team the best in the coming games.”
Nepal's T20 World Cup Squad:
Rohit Paudel (C), Dipendra Singh Airee, Aasif Sheikh, Anil Kumar Sah, Kushal Malla, Lalit Rajbanshi, Karan KC, Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami, Pratis GC, Sundeep Jora, Abinash Bohara, Sagar Dhakal, Kamal Singh Airee.
