Nepal’s star leg-spinner, Sandeep Lamichhane, faces disappointment as his US visa application was denied for the second time. This setback means he will miss the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to be held in the West Indies and the United States. Despite significant efforts by the Nepali government and the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) to support his visa application, the US Embassy declined his request again.
Efforts by Nepali Authorities and CAN
After Lamichhane’s initial visa application was rejected, Nepali authorities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Youth and Sports, alongside CAN, intervened to assist him. They provided a diplomatic note and worked with various organizations to support his travel for the World Cup. Unfortunately, these efforts were not enough to secure a visa, as confirmed by CAN in their statement.
US Embassy’s Stance on Visa Applications
The US Embassy in Kathmandu emphasized that visa records are confidential under US law, making it impossible to discuss individual cases. A spokesperson highlighted that the embassy and other US consular posts globally are committed to ensuring that national cricket team members who qualify can travel for competitions. However, despite these efforts, Lamichhane’s visa application remained unsuccessful.
Nepal’s World Cup Campaign
Nepal’s cricket team is in Group D for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, along with Bangladesh, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and the Netherlands. The team is set to start its campaign on June 4 against the Netherlands in Texas. The squad, led by captain Rohit Paudel, includes players like Aasif Sheikh, Kushal Bhurtel, and Sompal Kami, aiming to perform well despite the absence of their star spinner, Lamichhane.
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