Sandeep Lamichhane, the former Nepal captain, was recently denied a visa for the United States of Nepal (USA) ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 which means he could not be part of the team that will compete in the marquee event in the USA and the Caribbean islands this year.
It is pertinent to note that the even though the Patan High Court cleared rape charges against him after he was given a prison sentence by a subordinate court, a judgement which was challenged andultimately overturned, Lamichhane's visa pleas was rejected by the US embassy in Nepal on May 22.
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In the aftermath of the leg-spinner being denied a chance to play for the country in the marquee event, thousands of cricket fans took to the streets of the capital city Kathmandu to pritest against USA deying Lamichhane a visa and in effect costing him an opportunity to play the global cricket event.
Once the court ruled in favour of Lamichhane, Nepal Cricket Association's ban on him was also lifted. Despite this when the fans witnessed that the 23-year-old will miss out on playing the T20 World Cup 2024, they staged a protest outside Prime Minister's Residence in Baluwatar, Kathmandu.
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Sandeep Lamichhane Called For Visa Interview Again: Report
Unverified media reports claim that the leg-spinner has been called for a visa interview again on May 30 (Thursday). Sports Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha has apparently informed the cricketer that Foreign Minister is also intervening and trying to convince the embassy to grant him a visa for the competition.
Nepal will begin their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign against Netherlands on June 4 at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas.