Sandeep Lamichhane to miss ICC T20 World Cup 2024 after being denied US visa

Sandeep Lamichhane took it to Twitter to slam the US Embassy after being denied visa for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

Nepal leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane has suffered a major setback after he was denied US visa by the U.S. Embassy ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

The 23-year-old Lamichhane was in contention to return to the Nepal cricket team in the upcoming ICC tournament after being acquitted of rape charges a week ago. However, now his return looks unlikely as he has been denied entry into the US.

The ICC T20 World Cup 2024 will be played in the USA and West Indies in June. The deadline for all the cricket boards to submit their squad for the tournament to the ICC is May 25.

“Unfortunate”: Sandeep Lamichhane reacted on Twitter

Taking to Twitter on Wednesday, Lamichhane wrote, “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.”

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. @USAmbNepal @CricketNep. https://t.co/xdBhaY6G91

— Sandeep Lamichhane (@Sandeep25) May 22, 2024

Notably, as the leg-spinner mentioned, this is the second time he has been denied a US visa. The complete reason for this action from the U.S. Embassy is not yet known.

Lamichhane played a big role in Nepal reaching the T20 World Cup 2024. Last year, in the T20 World Cup Asia Qualifiers, he snapped nine wickets, the most for his team. But since then, he had been surrounded in turmoil as he fought the allegations of rape. Earlier this month, the Patan High Court acquitted him because of “a lack of evidence” and he was allowed to resume his cricket duties.

Barring Lamichhane, the rest of the players and staff members are already in the West Indies for preparation. Nepal will play two warm-up matches against Canada and USA in Dallas.

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