Nepal Cricket Fans Protest on Streets Against Sandeep Lamichhane’s US Visa Rejection for T20 World Cup 2024

Nepalese cricket fans have taken to the streets of Kathmandu to protest the denial of a US visa to star cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane for the T20 World Cup 2024, set to be co-hosted by West Indies and USA.

Sandeep Lamichhane‘s supporters are angry that the visa application remains unresolved, preventing him from joining the Nepali team currently in the USA.

Protests have been held outside the Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar, and demonstrators plan to target the US embassy to pressure them to grant the visa.

Sandeep Lamichhane Declared Innocent

This situation comes after the Patan High Court overturned a rape case against Lamichhane on May 15th, acquitting him of the charges.

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) also lifted his suspension, paving the way for his inclusion in the World Cup squad. However, the US visa denial on May 22nd threw a wrench into these plans.

Lamichhane played a huge role in securing Nepal’s qualification for the T20 World Cup after a decade-long absence.

He emerged as the team’s leading wicket-taker during the T20 World Cup Asia Qualifiers, claiming nine crucial wickets. Notably, he delivered a phenomenal spell of 4-1-14-2 in the crucial semi-final match against the UAE.

The Nepal team is currently in the USA and recently suffered a heavy 63-run defeat against Canada in their first official warm-up game on May 27th.

They are scheduled to play a second warm-up match against the USA on May 30th before their tournament opener against the Netherlands.