Sandeep Lamichhane, the Nepal legspinner, is all set to miss the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 set to be staged in the United States of America (USA) and the Caribbean Islands. While his application for a US Visa was denied earlier, the cricketer had a meeting at the US Embassy in Nepal on Thursday (May 30) after he had applied once again. However, the cricketer's visa plea was rejected for the second time, meaning he has no option but to miss the marquee cricket event scheduled this year.
Notably, the 23-year-old's first application was rejected last week. Post that, the Cricket Association Of Nepal (CAN) and the Nepal government intervened on his behalf. However, despite their efforts, he was denied a visa yet again.
Sandeep Lamichhane's Visit To Participate In T20 World Cup 2024
"Despite taking necessary initiatives, along with the diplomatic note, from the government of Nepal, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Youth and Sports, National Sports Council, CAN and International Cricket Council (ICC) for cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane's visit to participate in the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup in the United States and West Indies, the US Embassy has expressed its inability to give travel permission (visa) to national player Lamichhane to play the World Cup," CAN said as per an official statement.
"The US Embassy in Kathmandu and other US consular posts around the world have made a concerted effort to ensure that members of national cricket teams who qualify for the appropriate visa class are able to travel in time to compete in the World Cup," a spokesperson of the US Embassy in Kathmandu had said as reported by Kathmandu Post.
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"We cannot comment on individual visa cases as visa records are confidential under US law."
Notably, while Lamichhane was initially found guilty in a rape case and received a 8-year prison sentence, the judgement was challenged and was overturned by the Patan High Court, clearing Lamichhane of all charges. After being acquitted, CAN too revoked the suspension on the cricketer and it was expected that he would ply his trade for Nepal in the T20 World Cup 2024 but US visa denial has robbed him of an opportunity to play the T20 World Cup.