Despite widespread protest, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) have gone ahead and inducted rape-accused Sandeep Lamichhane in its squad for the tri-series scheduled next week. Notably, the former Nepal captain Lamichhane is currently out on bail after being accused of raping a minor. The case continues to be investigated and the rape charges levelled against him have been challenged at the Apex Court.
Despite a final judgement yet to be made on the matter, the CAN announced a final 14-member squad for the Tri Series of ICC World Cup League 2 in which they have named Lamichhane. The series is slated to be held at the TU Cricket ground in Kirtipur with Nepal standing against Namibia and Scotland starting February 14-21.
The country's cricket board had revoked his suspension last week and he has since then been training with the team at a camp.
I am facing a difficult time of conspiracy and wrongful allegation: Lamichhane
Before being arrested, the leg-spinner in a Facebook post dated October 5 said that he was returning to the country and would "fully cooperate in all stages of the investigation and will fight a legal battle to prove my innocence".
"I know I am facing a difficult time of conspiracy and wrongful allegation and the ramification of its effect is something unimaginable. I am sure there must be some mechanism of compensating to the accused who proven to be innocent in our legal system," Lamichhane wrote.
"I will soon seek legal support against wrongful prosecution and allegation made against me and I am sure I will get the justice and will return to the cricket ground soon to make the name and fame of my beloved country and I pray for speedy trial. I will fully cooperate in all stages of investigation and will fight legal battle to prove my innocence. Let the justice prevail," he added.
The 22-year-old has represented Nepal in 30 ODIs and 44 T20Is and last played a T20I against Kenya in August 2022.
Meanwhile, Cricket Scotland and Cricket Namibia have also issued statements saying that they sands against all forms of abuse but Lamichhane's availability for the fixtures can be determined only by CAN and ICC. Protests have continued against the Board's decision to select him with social media users criticising the move.
"The cricket association of Nepal has a special kind of hatred for women of this country. What a shameful organization," one user tweeted.