The Patan High Court of Nepal cleared Sandeep Lamichhane, the former captain of Nepal, of all charges of rape on Wednesday.
Lamichhane, the renowned cricketer from our country, initially faced serious accusations of raping an 18-year-old woman, leading to his conviction by a lower court. However, after filing an appeal, he was ultimately acquitted of all charges.
A two-judge panel at the Patan High Court made the decision to dismiss the sentence given by the Kathmandu District Court in January.
The victim, whose identity remains confidential, reported being sexually assaulted on August 21, 2022. Lamichhane was promptly arrested and spent time behind bars before being released on bail while the legal proceedings unfolded.
As a consequence of the allegations, Lamichhane was stripped of his captaincy for Nepal and was taken into custody following an arrest warrant issued by the police in 2022. Later, he was granted bail.
Lamichhane, known for his outstanding performances in cricket, is eagerly awaited back on the field. His remarkable feat of being the fastest bowler to reach 100 ODI wickets speaks volumes of his talent and commitment to the sport. His absence from the national team due to legal issues was deeply felt by fans and teammates alike.
Now that the cloud of allegations has dissipated, Lamichhane can redirect his focus on his cricketing career. His exceptional bowling records in ODIs and T20Is attest to his prowess and influence on the game. Lamichhane’s stellar contributions have cemented his status as a valuable asset for Nepal, and his return to the team is sure to boost their chances at the World Cup.
Nepal’s journey at the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 is scheduled to kick off on June 4, with Lamichhane expected to play a significant role in their quest for success.
Nepal has already revealed their T20 World Cup squad with Rohit Paudel set to captain the team. However, there’s a chance for changes to be made by the ICC Board until May 25. This means there’s a possibility Sandeep Lamichhane could still be included in Nepal’s T20 World Cup squad.
Nepal squad for T20 World Cup 2024:
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.
