Last Updated on 3 years by Charbel Coorey
Cricket News: Why did Cricket Association of Nepal suspend captain Sandeep Lamichhane? | Sandeep Lamichhane suspended by Nepal Cricket
The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has suspended skipper Sandeep Lamichhane after an arrest warrant was issued against him in Kathmandu regarding an alleged case of coercion of another individual.
The leg-spinner was a part of the Jamaica Tallawahs in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) at the time of the incident. The franchise announced on Thursday that he will be leaving the tournament with immediate effect, ESPNcricinfo reports.
Prashant Vikram Malla, acting secretary of the CAN, confirmed that Lamichhane’s suspension will stand pending a thorough investigation. The CAN board conducted a meeting before taking this decision. Lamichhane has also been summoned to report to the police in Kathmandu.
Sandeep Lamichhane states his innocence
“I am INNOCENT and keep complete belief in the respectable laws of Nepal. I have decided to take a leave from CPL and go back to my country within few days. I am ready to face all these baseless allegations,” Lamichhane’s official statement regarding this issue read.
He added, “May justice be served to the innocent and right investigation to be done to everyone involved. Hope the law acts equal to everyone.”
Lamichhane has played in several major T20 franchise competitions such as the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Big Bash League (BBL), the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), the Lanka Premier League and the CPL. Back in 2018, he became the first Nepalese player to be picked in the IPL as the Delhi Daredevils (now, Delhi Capitals) acquired him for a sum of Rs 20 lakhs in the mega-auction.
Lamichhane has featured in 70 international matches, including 30 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 40 T20Is. He has taken an impressive 147 wickets and three five-wicket hauls across the two formats.
The 22-year-old is the second-fastest and the third-fastest to reach the milestone of 50 wickets in ODIs and T20Is respectively. Further details of this case will most likely unfold in the coming days.
