The Patan High Court on Wednesday acquitted Nepal cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane in a rape case, overturning the Kathmandu District Court’s January sentence of eight years in jail. This acquittal makes Lamichhane eligible for selection in the T20 World Cup.
Although Nepal has already announced a 15-player squad led by Rohit Paudel, ICC rules permit changes to the squad until May 25, making Lamichhane a likely addition. Local media reports state that the court found Lamichhane innocent of raping a woman identified as Gushala-26 at a hotel in Tilganga on August 21, 2022.
Senior advocates Ram Narayan Bidari, Raman Shrestha, Shambu Thapa, Murari Sapkota, and Krishna Sapkota argued on Lamichhane’s behalf, challenging the Kathmandu District Court’s conviction. The proceedings, which began on Tuesday and continued through Wednesday, resulted in favor of the 23-year-old cricketer.
Lamichhane has represented Nepal in 52 T20I matches, taking 98 wickets, and is expected to be pivotal for Nepal’s T20 World Cup campaign, which starts against the Netherlands on June 4 in Texan.
Nepal has already announced their T20 World Cup squad, with Rohit Paudel set to lead the team
Nepal’s squad features players who have excelled in matches at the ACC Premier Cup in Oman and the ongoing T20I series against West Indies A in Kirtipur.
Captain Rohit Paudel has been a standout performer, notably scoring a century in the first game of the five-match series against West Indies A.
All-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee earned a spot in the squad after his world record-equalling feat of hitting six sixes in an over against Qatar in April. In addition to these hard hitters, Nepal’s batting lineup includes Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh at the top.
Gulshan Jha, who played for Nepal at the U19 World Cup earlier this year, joins several young talents in the 15-player squad. The team includes 19-year-old left-arm pacer Pratis GC for the marquee event.
The squad combines youth with experience, featuring Sompal Kami, the only player from Nepal’s debut 2014 campaign. Fast bowling all-rounder Kami is joined by experienced quick Karan Khatri Chhetri, forming a formidable pace duo.
Left-arm orthodox spinner Lalit Rajbanshi will lead Nepal’s spin attack. Nepal is placed in Group D alongside Bangladesh, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and the Netherlands, and will start its campaign on June 4 against the Netherlands in Texas.
Nepal squad: Rohit Paudel (c), Aasif Sheikh, Anil Kumar Sah, Dipendra Singh Airee, Kushal Bhurtel, Kushal Malla, Lalit Rajbanshi, Karan KC, Gulshan Jha, Sundeep Jora, Sompal Kami, Pratis GC, Abinash Bohara, Sagar Dhakal, Kamal Singh Airee.
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