Cricket

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.