In Kathmandu, Nepal, there have been demonstrations in reaction to the refusal of the visa for the notable spinner Sandeep Lamichhane who was expected to play for Nepal in T20 World Cup 2024. In a bid to allow Lamichhane to participate in the competition, young people from this capital city took their protests to the streets demanding that he be issued with a visa.
A Cricnepal.com report stated that demonstrators had congregated outside Baluwatar, where the Prime Minister’s building is located and planned future protests at US embassy in order to force authorities come up with Lamichhane’s visa.
Lamichhane only got his visa denied after being acquitted of rape case earlier this month by Patan High Court which overturned Kathmandu District court’s ruling.
Therefore, after CAN lifted suspension on Lamichhane following court’s decision thus enabling him secure himself a place in Nepal’s World Cup squad but this was not possible when he was not granted a United States visa on May 22nd.
To share his disappointment on social media about T20 world cup happening in USA & West Indies, lamichhane expressed his regrets regarding denial of his Visa application
He has become Nepal cricket team’s highest wicket taker during T20 world cup Asia qualifiers hence playing an important role for their qualification into the tournament.
Nevertheless, officials are keen to name Lamichhane in Nepal’s T20 World Cup squad. Chatur Bahadur Chand, president of Cricket Association of Nepal disclosed attempts to use Nepalese Government channels through which they can lobby embassy and secure participation of Lamichhane.
While other members of the Nepali cricket side are already in America making preparations for their campaign, absence of Lamichhane remains a major setback. On May 27th, the team played against Canada as part of its warm-up fixtures ending up losing it; they are then scheduled to play the US in a second practice match on May 30th, and will face Netherlands in their campaign opener on June 4th.
With T20 World Cup starting next Saturday in United States and West Indies, Nepal is running out of time to resolve its visa issue and finalize its squad for the competition. ICC event technical committee must bless any changes in the squad thus this poses more challenges to their preparations.
