Youth in Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, have taken to the streets in protest against the United States’ decision to deny a visa to leg-spinner and former captain Sandeep Lamichhane. Lamichhane, recently acquitted in a high-profile rape case, has been at the center of controversy as the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) sought to include him in the national team for the upcoming World Cup.
The Patan High Court’s overturning of the Kathmandu District Court’s decision, which had initially sentenced Lamichhane to eight years for rape, paved the way for his reinstatement into cricket. CAN lifted Lamichhane’s ban, but their hopes to include him in the World Cup squad were dashed when the US embassy denied his visa application.
In response, demonstrators gathered outside the Prime Minister’s building in Baluwatar, with plans for further protests outside the US embassy. The deadline for submitting the final World Cup squad to the International Cricket Council (ICC) was looming, but CAN remained optimistic. “We have sent a list of only 14 players to the ICC for now because we still hope Lamichhane will get a visa from the US Embassy,” stated CAN President Chatur Bahadur Chand to the Kathmandu Post.
Despite the setback, CAN expressed confidence in Lamichhane’s potential inclusion, citing ICC’s approval of their request to include him in the final 15-member World Cup squad. “If Lamichhane receives a visa in a few days, he will be included in the squad,” Chand affirmed.
The protests underscore the fervent support Lamichhane enjoys among Nepalese youth, who see him as a symbol of national pride and talent in the cricketing world. As the saga unfolds, the outcome remains uncertain, but the solidarity displayed by the Kathmandu youth reflects their unwavering commitment to championing the cause of their cricketing hero.
