Kathmandu, June 11: Spinner Sandeep Lamichhane is set to play two matches to be held in West Indies under the ICC T20 World Cup cricket. The global event of the shortest format is being co-hosted by the United States and the West Indies. 

Sandeep will be taking part in the matches against South Africa and Bangladesh to be played in West Indies, stated a press release issued by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) on Monday. 

Sandeep, 23, missed the matches against the Netherlands and Sri Lanka after his visa was denied by the United States twice. 

“Sandeep Lamichhane has left for the West Indies for the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup and join the Nepali national cricket team,” CAN Secretary Paras Khadka said in a statement.

The statement read that the Sandeep was in the official 15-member final squad registered on ICC. “Right after an eight-year sentence for rape was quashed on appeal on May 15 by Patan High Court, CAN kept bowler Pratis GC as a travelling reserve from previously announced squad and  included Sandeep in the final squad, CAN said.

Sandeep was convicted for raping a young woman in a Kathmandu hotel in 2022. The cricket association suspended Sandeep from cricketing activities after Kathmandu District Court sentenced him on rape charge. Patan High Court, however, acquitted Sandeep from the rape charge last month and the CAN lifted his suspension immediately allowing Sandeep to participate in domestic and international cricket. 

“Sandeep has been in Nepal’s official team since May 16. Though he has not received a US visa, in coordination with the ICC, Sandeep will be performing in Nepal’s two matches against South Africa and Bangladesh in the West Indies,” the press release further said.   

Nepal who lost first match against the Netherlands by six wickets in the Dallas will play their second match against Sri Lanka in Florida on June 12. After the match, the Nepali team will reach the West Indies for the match against South Africa and Banglaesh.

‘False Propoganda’

Sandeep, from his social media post, also confirmed his joining the national team for the last two matches. “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 Twitter, now known as X.

“To all our cricket fans and people back home everywhere who prayed for me, I will forever be grateful for your blessings,” he said.

Meanwhile, he also requested all the fans not to follow all the false propaganda surrounding his visa issues that people are using to tarnish the CAN. 

“I am disheartened to see the deliberate image-tarnishing of the important figures like Chatur Sir and Paras Dai, who made my comeback possible. 

Please don’t follow all the false propaganda surrounding my visa issues that people are using to tarnish CAN and Nepal Cricket’s image.”

“Let us celebrate Nepal cricket which is playing the world cup after 10 years. We will need your positive support and blessings more than ever,” Sandeep’s post on X read.

Likewise, the CAN also requested the cricket fans not to trust all the rumors regarding the Sandeep’s visa. “Let us unite and motivate the national cricket team’s participation in the world cup as a festival,” stated the press release from the CAN.

CG sponsors U19 Women’s team

CG Foods Nepal Limited has joined hands with Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) for the development of Nepali cricket. CG Foods, manufacturer of Wai Wai noodles, will be providing Rs. 6 million annually to support the Nepal Women’s U19 team and other grassroots cricketing activities of CAN. 

Paras Khadka, Secretary General of CAN and Pradeep Pudasaini, CEO of CG Foods signed the agreement on Monday. 

According to the deal, CG will be providing Rs. 3 million for sponsoring women’s U19 cricket team and remaining half for other cricketing activities. 

Likewise, CG Foods has launched  a special cricket edition pack of ‘Wai Wai noodles to celebrate 20 years of partnership with Nepali cricket.