KATHMANDU, June 10 (Agencies): Nepal leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane will play the team's last two group matches at the T20 World Cup in West Indies after missing the United States leg of the tournament over visa issues, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) said on Monday.
The 23-year-old, the Himalayan country's most prominent cricketer, had a second visa application for the US rejected last month.
Lamichhane was found guilty of rape in 2023 but was cleared of the charges by an appeal court in Nepal last month.
"We want to inform that Nepal player Sandeep Lamichhane will travel to West Indies and join the Nepal national cricket team," the cricket board said in a statement.
"He will be available for the matches against South Africa and Bangladesh to be held in West Indies."
Nepal lost their Group D opener against the Netherlands in Dallas and next play Sri Lanka at Lauderhill, Florida on June 11 before moving to Kingstown. Lamichhane will be available for Nepal's final two matches however, against South Africa and Bangladesh at Kingstown, St Vincent.
"I would like to thank the Government of Nepal, Foreign Ministry, Sports Ministry, National Sports Council and Cricket Association of Nepal for their support to help get me a US visa but unfortunately it did not work out this time. 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." Lamichhane said in a statement posted on social media.
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