Shot In Arm For Nepal As Sandeep Lamichhane Joins Teammates In Caribbean Leg Of T20 World Cup 2024
Sandeep Lamichhane will be representing Nepal against South African and Bangladesh Kingstown at the T20 World Cup 2024.
New Delhi: Nepal got a major shot in the arm after it was announced that star spinner Sandeep Lamichhane would join the squad in the ongoing T20 World Cup in West Indies. The leg-spinner, who was acquitted in a minor rape case last month, has been included in the Nepal squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 since May 16. However, he couldn’t be with the squad in the United States as the US Embassy in Nepal rejected his visa twice.
Led by Rohit Paudel, Nepal started their campaign with a loss to the Netherlands in Dallas and will play their second Group D game in Florida. After that, the Rohit Paudel-led side will travel to the Caribbean to play their remaining group games against South Africa and Bangladesh in Kingstown.
“Despite the visa rejections, Lamichhane will participate in Nepal’s games against South Africa and Bangladesh after coordination with the International Cricket Council,” the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) said in a statement.
Namaste
Hello from West Indies.pic.twitter.com/7w6y6lEslO
— Sandeep Lamichhane (@Sandeep25) June 10, 2024
Earlier, the CAN has listed 14 players to the ICC for the T20 World Cup 2024, keeping one spot for Lamichhane. The cricketer also took to social media to thank everyone involved. “First of all I would like to thank Government of Nepal, Foreign Ministry, Sports Ministry, National Sports Council (NSC), and Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) for their support to help me get the US visa,” he wrote, “but unfortunately it did not work out this time.”
“I am 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,” he added. As far as Nepal’s chances are concerned, Nepal started with a loss to the Dutch. They need to win their rest of the games against Sri Lanka (June 12), South Africa (June 14) and Bangladesh (June 16).