Former IPL Star May Miss 2024 T20 World Cup as US Embassy Rejects Visa Application

Nepal’s star cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane has been left devastated after the US embassy denied him a visa for the upcoming T20 World Cup, where he was set to make his return to international cricket. Lamichhane, who was embroiled in a rape case last year, was recently acquitted by an appeals court, paving the way for his inclusion in the Nepal squad for the tournament.

In a tweet, Lamichhane expressed his disappointment, stating, “And the @USEmbassyNepal did it again what they did back in 2019, they denied my Visa for the T-20 World Cup happening in USA and West Indies. Unfortunate. I am sorry to all the well wishers of Nepal Cricket.” This is not the first time the leg-spinner has faced visa issues, as he was also denied entry to the Caribbean Premier League in 2019.

With Lamichhane’s absence, Nepal will have to rely on other players to step up in the T20 World Cup, where they have been drawn in Group D alongside strong teams like South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands. The Cricket Association of Nepal is reportedly working to include Lamichhane in the squad despite the setback.

Having taken 112 wickets in 51 ODIs and on the verge of reaching the 100-wicket milestone in T20Is, Lamichhane’s presence would have been crucial for Nepal’s campaign in the tournament. Fans of Nepal cricket will be hoping for a resolution to the visa issue so that their star player can showcase his talent on the world stage once again.