Nepalese cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane, who faced rape charges, is all set to get back to the game and play in the upcoming World Cup League 2 tri-series. He is now out on bail.
The star cricketer from Nepal is accused of raping a 17-year-old girl in a Kathmandu hotel room last August.
The Cricket Association of Nepal took to Twitter to announce the inclusion of the 22-year-old in the national squad for the upcoming home series against Namibia and Scotland to be played from February 14-21.
Cricket Association of Nepal lifted the star spinner’s suspension earlier this month and the decision for his inclusion in the squad was on the cards.
“Cricket Association of Nepal took disciplinary action against him and suspended him following the charges. The new decision to lift the suspension will allow him to play cricket for the national team again,” said Chatur Bahadur Chand, President of Cricket Association of Nepal.
Lamichhane is a popular cricketer in Nepal and he is a poster boy for the rise of cricket in the country. Inspired by the performances of a few cricketers like Lamichhane, Nepal gained ODI status in 2018. The tricky spinner got a big break in the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) when Delhi Capitals roped him in 2018.
Following the rape accusation against Nepal’s most sought-after cricketer, authorities had issued an arrest warrant against him in September while he was away playing in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Subsequently, Lamichhane pleaded innocence. However, he was suspended as Nepal captain.