Nepal star Sandeep Lamichhane files lawsuit after being denied US visa ahead of 2024 T20 World Cup

Sandeep Lamichhane, a well-known Nepalese cricketer, revealed on Wednesday that his visa application to the United States was rejected by the US embassy. The decision prevents him from taking part in the upcoming T20 World Cup, an important event where he was aiming to make a comeback following the legal battle. Lamichhane, the only player from Nepal to have competed in the tournament Indian Premier League (IPL)you are facing a big problem with this denial.

Hopes for relief and return

Lamichhane’s cricketing career came to a screeching halt after he was arrested in September 2022 on charges of raping an 18-year-old girl. He was later released on bail but faced a ban from playing at home and abroad. Recently, the appeals court acquitted the 23-year-old leg-spinner, resulting in International Cricket Council (ICC) to drop him from Nepal’s World Cup squad.

Showing disappointment

Chatur Bahadur Chand, the president of the Nepal Cricket Association, revealed that Lamichhane is being considered for the World Cup squad. However, the visa denial means he will miss this important tournament and Lamichhane shared his frustration on social media.

“@USEmbassyNepal has done it again, like in 2019, denying my visa for T20 World Cup in USA and West Indies. Unfortunately. I apologize to all Nepali cricket fans,” Lamichhane wrote in X, referring to a previous visa denial in 2019 when he intended to compete in the race. Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

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And the @USembassyNepal they did and what they did back in 2019, they refused my Visa for the T-20 World Cup which took place in USA and West Indies. Unfortunately. Apologies to all the well wishers of Nepal Cricket. @USAmbNepal @CricketNep. https://t.co/xdBhaY6G91

— Sandeep Lamichhane (@Sandeep25) May 22, 2024

Career highlights

Throughout his career, Lamichhane has been a dominant player, taking 112 wickets in 51 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and coming close to peaking in T20 internationals with 98 wickets in 52 matches. His contributions were instrumental in putting Nepal on the international cricket map.

Nepal T20 World Cup campaign

As Nepal prepares for the second T20 World Cup, they find themselves in Group D, along with formidable teams like these. South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladeshonce In the Netherlands. Led by an all-rounder Rohit Paudelthe team will begin its campaign against the Dutch team on June 4 at Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas.

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