Disgraced Nepali cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane, on Wednesday (May 1), alleged conspiracy against him after he failed to find a place in Nepal’s squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
In January this year, a Kathmandu court sentenced the spinner to eight years in jail for rape. He was accused of raping a 17-year-old girl in August 2022. He was subsequently arrested for the crime, but was soon released on bail and continued to represent Nepal in international cricket.
He was even named in Nepal’s Asia Cup squad and played in both the league matches against Pakistan and India. In December last year, a single judge of the Kathmandu District Court finally found Sandeep Lamichhane guilty of rape. Later in January, his lengthy prison sentence was announced.
He was also fined 300,000 rupees (approximately US$2,255) and ordered to pay 200,000 rupees (approximately US$1,500) in compensation to the victim. A day after the court announced the sentence, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) suspended the 23-year-old.
Sandeep Lamichhane reacts after missing out on T20 World Cup spot:
Recently, Sandeep Lamichhane appealed the Kathmandu District Court’s decision to the Patan High Court. While he waits to hear his fate from the High Court, he decides to express his displeasure at missing out on a place in the World Cup.
Shortly after Nepal’s team for the main event was announced, he took to X (formerly Twitter) to react. He first posted a smiling emoji before alleging conspiracy against her. Without directly speaking about the T20 World Cup snub, the spinner, who once plied his trade in the IPL, wrote:
“I refrained from publishing for a long time. I have no doubt that I am the victim of a conspiracy. May God bless all those who played their part in this conspiracy. I leave everything in the hands of God. Time will tell the truth unless reveal.”
🙂
– Sandeep Lamichhane (@Sandeep25) May 1, 2024
I refrained from posting for a long time. I have no doubt that I am the victim of a conspiracy. May God bless all who played their part in this conspiracy. I leave everything in the hands of God. Time will tell the truth unless it is revealed.🙏
– Sandeep Lamichhane (@Sandeep25) May 1, 2024
Meanwhile, Rohit Paudel will lead Nepal in the World T20. Nepal will participate in the T20 World Cup for the second time and first since 2014.
Nepal team:
Rohit Paudel (c), Aasif Sheikh, Anil Kumar Sah, Kushal Bhurtel, Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Lalit Rajbanshi, Karan KC, Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami, Pratis GC, Sundeep Jora, Abinash Bohara, Sagar Dhakal, Kamal Singh Airee