T20 World Cup 2024: Sandeep Lamichhane joins Nepal squad for final two group matches in West Indies

Nepal star cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane posted on social media that he will be playing the remaining two matches of the T20 World Cup 2024 campaign with the Nepal squad in the West Indies. Notably, the 23-year-old cricketer was sidelined from the ongoing campaign because Lamichhane's approval to enter the USA was denied.

However, Lamichhane claimed that he arrived in the West Indies, where Nepal will play their last two Group D games against Bangladesh and South Africa. According to the Cricket Association of Nepal, star cricketer Lamichhane, who had twice had his visa to enter the USA denied, is set to play for the national team in the final two group stage matches. Speaking about their team, Nepal lost the opening game, while they are set to face South Africa and Bangladesh on June 15 and 17, respectively.

The 23-year-old was found guilty in December 2023 of raping an 18-year-old, but his sentence was recently overturned, which allowed him to mark his presence at the ongoing marquee event. Lamichhane is unlikely to be available as Nepal plays Sri Lanka in Florida on Tuesday after missing the nation's loss to the Netherlands in Dallas. 

Looking forward to fulfilling my dreams and the dreams of all cricket lovers: Lamichhane

“Nepali player Sandeep Lamichhane will leave for the West Indies for the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup and join the Nepali national cricket team. Lamichhane was denied a US visa twice, which prevented him from participating in the initial stages of the  T20 World Cup 2024. However, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has confirmed that he is now in the Caribbean and will play in Nepal’s two league stage games in the West Indies,” association secretary Paras Khadka said in a statement.

“I am now joining the national team for the last two matches in the West Indies and looking forward to fulfilling my dreams and the dream of all cricket lovers,” Lamichhane posted on X.