Nepal's Sandeep Lamichhane to Miss T20 World Cup After US Visa Rejection

Nepal's cricket team has been dealt a significant blow as star leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane will miss the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup after his US visa application was rejected for the second time. The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) announced the news, confirming that despite various efforts, the US Embassy has not granted Lamichhane the necessary travel permission.

Lamichhane's visa issues are not new. This is the third time he has been denied a US visa, with previous rejections occurring in 2019 and earlier this year. The 23-year-old cricketer, who was recently acquitted of rape charges by an appeal court in Nepal, had hoped to join his team for the tournament set to take place in the USA and West Indies.

The CAN expressed their disappointment in a statement: "Despite taking necessary initiatives ... the U.S. Embassy has expressed its inability to give travel permission (visa) to national player Lamichhane to play the World Cup." This rejection comes even after the intervention of the Nepali government and cricket authorities.

Lamichhane's absence will significantly impact Nepal's World Cup campaign. The team is scheduled to play in Group D, facing the Netherlands on June 4, followed by matches against Sri Lanka, South Africa, and Bangladesh. Lamichhane, known for his participation in prominent Twenty20 leagues in India, Australia, Pakistan, and the West Indies, would have been a key player for Nepal.

Lamichhane's legal troubles began in 2022 when he was arrested over an accusation of raping an 18-year-old woman. He was found guilty in December 2023 and sentenced to eight years in jail. However, an appeal court in Nepal cleared him of the charges earlier this month, allowing him to resume his cricketing career.

The US Embassy in Kathmandu has maintained its stance on confidentiality regarding individual visa cases. A spokesperson stated, "The US Embassy in Kathmandu and other US consular posts around the world have made a concerted effort to ensure that members of national cricket teams who qualify for the appropriate visa class are able to travel in time to compete in the World Cup."

Nepal's T20 World Cup squad, which includes players like Rohit Paudel, Aasif Sheikh, and Anil Kumar Sah, will now have to proceed without their star leg-spinner. The team will have to adjust their strategies and rely on other key players to step up in Lamichhane's absence.

Nepal will kick off their World Cup campaign on June 4 against the Netherlands in Texas. The tournament, co-hosted by the United States and the West Indies, will see Nepal competing in Group D alongside Bangladesh, South Africa, and Sri Lanka.

The absence of Sandeep Lamichhane, a player with significant international experience, will undoubtedly be felt by the Nepalese team. As they prepare to face formidable opponents, the team will need to regroup and find new ways to compensate for the loss of their star spinner.

Key Takeaways

• Nepal's star leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane to miss T20 World Cup 2024 due to US visa rejection.
• This is Lamichhane's third US visa denial, with previous rejections in 2019 and earlier this year.
• Lamichhane was acquitted of rape charges by an appeal court in Nepal, but US Embassy denied visa.
• Nepal's T20 World Cup campaign will be impacted by Lamichhane's absence, with key matches against Netherlands, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
• Lamichhane's international experience will be missed, and the team must regroup and find new strategies to compensate.