Sandeep Lamichhane to be included in Nepal squad for tri-series

Sandeep Lamichhane, former captain of the Nepal side, is set to be included in the national side for the tri-series against Namibia and Scotland in Kirtipur. 

The 22-year-old will make his first appearance after being arrested on 6th October 2022 on the charges of raping a 17-year-old girl. Lamichhane spent the rest of the year behind the bars and was granted bail last week, following which he resumed his cricket training. 

#2ndPhase #closedcamp pic.twitter.com/j8KdkBRGAt

— CAN (@CricketNep) February 4, 2023

While he has resumed training with the squad despite boycotts around the nation, Cricket Scotland shared their thoughts on the incident in the lead-up to the series. 

"Cricket Scotland is aware of the reports regarding the legal status of Nepal's Sandeep Lamichhane ahead of the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 Qualifiers.

"As a governing body and as a squad, Cricket Scotland stands firmly against all forms of abuse, which have no place in modern society. The player's availability for these games is a matter for the Cricket Association of Nepal and the ICC to consider," Cricket Scotland issued a statement as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo. 

The Cricket Association of Nepal could announce their squad on February 10. According to the sources, Lamichhane's name is in the 14-member list sent to the International Cricket Council for registration purposes. 

While the team management and the selectors can still opt to change the squad, they will, in all likelihood, draft him into the squad, with Rohit Paudel continuing to the lead the side.