Cricket

Nepali cricket star Sandeep Lamichhane has been acquitted of rape charges by the High Court, Patan, overturning an eight-year jail sentence handed down by a lower court in January. Lamichhane, 23, was accused of raping an 18-year-old woman in 2022.Lamichhane's lawyers welcomed the decision, stating that he was not guilty and should have been cleared of the charges. The High Court's verdict, which is yet to be released in detail, concluded the hearing on Lamichhane's appeal.Lamichhane, a leg-spinner, is considered the face of cricket in Nepal and has played in prominent Twenty20 leagues in India, Australia, Pakistan, and the West Indies. He was suspended as Nepal's captain and taken into custody after police issued an arrest warrant for him over the assault. He was later released on bail.In January, the Kathmandu district court sentenced Lamichhane to eight years in jail and ordered him to pay a fine and compensation to the victim. However, his lawyers argued that the lower court's verdict was flawed and that Lamichhane was innocent.The High Court's decision to quash the conviction is a significant development in the case. Lamichhane's supporters celebrated the verdict, blowing traditional musical pipes and beating drums at the court premises.The case has drawn widespread attention in Nepal and internationally, raising questions about sexual assault and the justice system. Lamichhane's acquittal is likely to spark further debate and discussion on these important issues.

Rohit Paudel, Nepal's star batsman, will lead a familiar squad at the upcoming T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA. The 15-man squad includes experienced players like Aasif Sheikh, Anil Kumar Sah, Kushal Bhurtel, and Kushal Malla.Nepal's preparations for the World Cup have been mixed. They won the first game of their T20 series against West Indies A by four wickets, thanks to Paudel's brilliant 112. However, they lost the next two games by 10 runs and 76 runs, respectively.Despite the recent setbacks, Nepal remains confident heading into the World Cup. They have a talented squad with a good mix of experience and youth. Paudel, who is in excellent form, will be the key player for Nepal. He is a destructive batsman who can score runs quickly.Other players to watch out for include Aasif Sheikh, who is a reliable opener, and Kushal Bhurtel, who is a talented all-rounder. Nepal also has a strong bowling attack, led by Sompal Kami and Karan KC.Nepal is placed in Group D of the World Cup, along with Bangladesh, Netherlands, South Africa, and Sri Lanka. They will start their campaign on June 4 against Netherlands in Dallas.Nepal will be hoping to make a mark at the World Cup. They have the potential to upset some of the bigger teams and reach the knockout stages.

Dipendra Singh Airee, Nepal's explosive batsman, has etched his name in the annals of cricket history by becoming only the third player to smash six consecutive sixes in an over in an international T20 match. The remarkable feat was achieved against Qatar in the ACC Men's Premier Cup match in Al Amerat on Saturday.Airee, who entered the final over with 28 runs off 15 deliveries, unleashed a barrage of sixes off each of medium pacer Kamran Khan's deliveries. The 24-year-old finished with an astonishing 64 runs off just 21 balls, propelling Nepal to a formidable total of 210 for 7.Airee's extraordinary achievement places him alongside legendary cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Kieron Pollard, who have also accomplished the rare feat in international T20s. In ODI cricket, Herschelle Gibbs and Jaskaran Malhotra have achieved the same milestone.Notably, Airee is no stranger to such heroics. In September 2023, during the Asian Games in Hangzhou, he had achieved a similar feat against Mongolia. However, on that occasion, his six consecutive sixes were spread across two overs.Airee's six-hitting prowess has been a key factor in Nepal's recent success in T20 cricket. The right-handed batsman has played 60 T20Is and 55 ODIs for his country, showcasing his ability to clear the boundary with ease.Airee's record-breaking performance against Qatar is a testament to his exceptional talent and the growing strength of Nepal's cricket team. The young batsman's ability to produce such extraordinary feats on the international stage bodes well for the future of cricket in Nepal.

Nepal's cricket team emerged victorious in their fifth match of the ongoing Tri-Series, defeating the Netherlands by six wickets. The match, which also featured Namibia, saw Nepal's bowlers shine as they restricted the Dutch to a modest total of 120 runs.Pratis GC led the bowling attack for Nepal, claiming three wickets. The Netherlands' batting lineup struggled to gain momentum, with only Max ODowd managing to score over 30 runs.In response, Nepal's batsmen chased down the target with ease, reaching 121 runs in just 15.2 overs. Skipper Rohit Paudel top-scored with 46 runs, while Gulsan Jha contributed 38.One of the highlights of the match was a stunning fielding effort by Kushal Bhurtel. In the 19th over of the Netherlands' innings, Bhurtel leaped to prevent a certain six from crossing the boundary line. He then quickly threw the ball to wicketkeeper Aasif Sheikh, who ran out Vivan Kingma for 4.This dismissal proved crucial as it helped Nepal bundle out the Netherlands for 120 runs in 19.3 overs.With this victory, Nepal moved to second place in the points table, behind the Netherlands who have won two out of their three matches.