Cricket

Nepalese cricket sensation Sandeep Lamichhane has etched his name in the annals of T20I history by becoming the second-fastest bowler to reach the milestone of 100 wickets. During Nepal's T20 World Cup match against Bangladesh in St. Vincent, Lamichhane's two-wicket spell propelled him to this remarkable achievement.Prior to this match, Lamichhane had amassed 98 wickets in 53 T20I appearances, boasting an impressive average of 12.58 and an economical rate of 6.29. His latest feat places him just behind Afghanistan's Rashid Khan, who achieved the 100-wicket mark in one game fewer.Lamicchane's return to international cricket has been a triumphant one. After facing an eight-year prison sentence for a rape conviction, he was cleared and made his comeback in the match against South Africa last week. Despite not playing a competitive match since late last year, Lamichhane's rigorous training at Kathmandu's TU Ground has paid dividends.His arrival in the USA was initially delayed due to visa issues, but the ICC granted him a late addition to Nepal's World Cup squad. "We had tried hard to secure a US visa for Lamichhane, but it didn't work out," said CAN president Chatur Bahadur Chand. "We requested the ICC to allow him to be added to the World Cup squad as a late entry, and they have now approved his inclusion for the last two group stage matches."Lamicchane expressed his gratitude for the support he received in securing his visa and joining the squad. "I would like to thank the Government of Nepal, Foreign Ministry, Sports Ministry, National Sports Council, and Cricket Association of Nepal for their support," he said. "I am now joining the National team for the last two matches in the West Indies and look forward to fulfilling my dreams and the dream of all cricket lovers."In the match against Bangladesh, Nepal fell short by 21 runs, but Lamichhane's historic achievement overshadowed the result. His remarkable journey from facing adversity to reaching the pinnacle of T20I bowling is a testament to his resilience and determination.

South Africa vs Nepal: Spinners to Play a Role in Kingstown Clash?The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 continues with a fascinating encounter between South Africa and Nepal in Kingstown, St. Vincent. This match marks the first-ever meeting between the two nations on the international circuit.South Africa, who have advanced to the Super Eight, are in impressive form, having won all three of their matches so far. Their fast bowlers, particularly Anrich Nortje and Ottneil Baartman, have been exceptional. However, the role of spinners in this match remains uncertain.Nepal, on the other hand, have yet to win a match but have shown glimpses of promise. Their supporters have been a vocal presence, cheering them on in their opening game against Netherlands. However, their batting has struggled under pressure, which could be a concern against South Africa's formidable bowling attack.The addition of Sandeep Lamichhane, Nepal's best-known player, for the West Indian leg of the tournament could bolster their spin bowling options. Lamichhane, who was acquitted of rape charges earlier this year, is a match-winner and could make a significant impact.South Africa's top-order batters have been underperforming, with Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, and Aiden Markram collectively scoring just 61 runs. They will be eager to improve their performance in Kingstown.The pitch in Kingstown is expected to be conducive for run-scoring, with 58-metre boundaries on one side. The weather forecast predicts humidity, sunshine, and slight wind.

Nepal's controversial cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane has been cleared to join his national team in the West Indies for the ICC T20 World Cup. The 23-year-old spin bowler was initially denied a visa to enter the United States, where the tournament's opening matches were held. However, after his visa applications were denied twice, the Nepal Cricket Association (NCA) announced on Monday that Lamichhane would be joining the team for the remaining matches in the West Indies.Lamichhane's return to the national team is a significant boost for Nepal, who have struggled in his absence. The team lost their opening match of the tournament to the Netherlands by six wickets and will face Sri Lanka in Florida on Wednesday before heading to the West Indies for matches against South Africa and Bangladesh.Lamichhane's inclusion in the squad brings experience and skill to the team. He is one of Nepal's most successful cricketers, having played in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Big Bash League (BBL). His return is expected to provide a much-needed boost to Nepal's chances of progressing to the Super 12 stage of the tournament.However, Lamichhane's return to the team has also been met with some controversy. In 2022, he was convicted of raping a young woman in a Kathmandu hotel and sentenced to eight years in prison. His sentence was quashed on appeal last month, allowing him to rejoin the cricketing scene.Despite the controversy surrounding him, Lamichhane remains a popular figure in Nepal. His return to the national team has been welcomed by many fans, who believe that he can help Nepal achieve success in the T20 World Cup.

Nepal's star leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane faces a major setback as his US visa application has been rejected for the second time, jeopardizing his participation in the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024. The tournament is scheduled to take place in the West Indies and the United States.Lamichhane's initial visa application was denied last week, prompting the Nepali government and the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) to intervene. Despite their efforts, the application was rejected once again. CAN expressed disappointment in a statement, stating that despite diplomatic support from the government and various organizations, the US Embassy has declined to grant Lamichhane travel permission."Despite taking necessary initiatives, along with the diplomatic note, from the government of Nepal, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Youth and Sports, National Sports Council, CAN, and International Cricket Council (ICC), for cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane's visit to participate in the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup in the United States and West Indies, the US Embassy has expressed its inability to give travel permission (visa) to national player Lamichhane to play in the World Cup," CAN said.A spokesperson for the US Embassy in Kathmandu declined to comment on individual visa cases, citing confidentiality under US law. However, the embassy emphasized its commitment to facilitating visas for members of national cricket teams who qualify for the appropriate visa class.Nepal has been placed in Group D alongside Bangladesh, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and the Netherlands. They will kick off their campaign on June 4 against the Netherlands in Texas.The absence of Lamichhane, who is Nepal's leading wicket-taker in T20Is, will be a significant blow to the team's chances in the tournament. He has been a key player for Nepal in recent years, helping them achieve historic victories and qualify for major international events.The Nepali government and CAN have expressed their disappointment and are exploring all possible options to secure Lamichhane's visa. They have appealed to the US Embassy to reconsider its decision and grant him travel permission.

Nepal Protests Erupt Over Sandeep Lamichhane's Denied US Visa for T20 World CupIn Kathmandu, Nepal, protests have erupted following the denial of a visa to prominent leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane, who was set to represent Nepal in the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup. The visa denial has sparked outrage among Nepalese youth, who have taken to the streets demanding a visa for Lamichhane and urging authorities to allow his participation in the tournament.Lamichhane's visa denial comes after he was acquitted of a rape case earlier this month by the Patan High Court, overturning the decision of the Kathmandu District Court. Following the court's ruling, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) lifted Lamichhane's suspension, clearing the cricketer to secure a spot in Nepal's World Cup squad. However, hopes were dashed when he was denied a US visa on May 22.The visa denial has been met with widespread disappointment and anger in Nepal. Demonstrators have gathered outside the Prime Minister's building in Baluwatar and planned further protests outside the US embassy to exert pressure on authorities for the issuance of Lamichhane's visa.Lamichhane, who played a pivotal role in Nepal's qualification for the tournament, expressed his regret over the visa denial on social media. The leg-spinner was Nepal's leading wicket-taker in the T20 World Cup Asia Qualifiers and his absence poses a significant challenge to the team's chances in the tournament.Despite the setback, Nepal's cricket officials remain determined to secure Lamichhane's participation in the T20 World Cup. Chatur Bahadur Chand, president of the Cricket Association of Nepal, revealed efforts to lobby the embassy through the Nepal government in hopes of securing Lamichhane's participation.Nepal's cricket team has already arrived in the US and begun preparations for the tournament, but the absence of Lamichhane is a major concern. The team played a warm-up fixture against Canada on May 27, suffering a defeat, and is scheduled to face hosts USA in a second practice game on May 30 before their campaign opener against the Netherlands on June 4.With the T20 World Cup set to commence next Saturday, co-hosted by the United States and West Indies, Nepal face a race against time to resolve the visa issue and finalize their squad ahead of the tournament. Any alterations to the squad would require approval from the ICC's event technical committee, posing further complications for Nepal's preparations.

Nepal's star cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane has suffered a major setback in his bid to make a comeback at the upcoming T20 World Cup. The United States embassy has denied him a visa, dashing his hopes of representing his country in the tournament.Lamichhane, the only Nepalese cricketer to have played in the Indian Premier League (IPL), was arrested in September 2022 on allegations of raping an 18-year-old girl. He was later released on bail and remained suspended from domestic and international cricket.Just a week ago, the 23-year-old leg-spinner was acquitted by an appeals court, prompting the International Cricket Council (ICC) to allow the Nepal cricket board to add him to the World Cup squad. However, the US embassy's visa denial has put a spanner in the works."The @USEmbassyNepal did it again, just like in 2019, denying my visa for the T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies. Unfortunate. I am sorry to all the well-wishers of Nepal Cricket," Lamichhane posted on Twitter.Nepal, gearing up for their second T20 World Cup, are placed in Group D alongside South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands. In Lamichhane's absence, the team has been led by batting all-rounder Rohit Paudel.Cricket Association of Nepal president Chatur Bahadur Chand had recently mentioned that they were looking to add Lamichhane to the World Cup squad. In his career, Lamichhane has taken 112 wickets in 51 ODIs and is close to achieving the 100-wicket milestone in T20 internationals, having taken 98 wickets in 52 T20Is.The visa denial is a significant blow to Nepal's hopes of making an impact at the T20 World Cup. Lamichhane is a key player for the team and his absence will be a major loss.

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.