Kathmandu: Cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane, who was acquitted by the High Court on rape charges, has been included in the 15-member squad by Nepal.
Chatur Bahadur Chand, president of Nepal Cricket Association (CAN), disclosed that rumors were being spread on social media about America not granting visas.
Announcing the letter sent by ICC to grant Sandeep a visa, Chand mentioned that after Sandeep was acquitted, CAN coordinated with ICC and included him in the squad.
He said that the ICC has also given the facility to change players if they do not get a visa. That is why Nepal has kept the names of 14 other players secret as well, he said.
He wrote, ‘Sandeep was included in the team by keeping the names of 14 people secret. The team management made a mature decision not to weaken the morale of the players who will be replaced.’
According to Chand, one of the 15 players included in the team went to America as an ‘alternate player’. If Sandeep’s visa was granted, that player would have remained as an alternative.
According to Chairman Chand, the audience and supporters can only guess who those players are but cannot confirm. It is mentioned in Chand’s status that he was not informed about this so that the morale of the player does not decrease.
Lamichhane’s chances of playing in the World Cup are over after the US Embassy refused to grant him a visa even after the second attempt.
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