Rape-accused Nepalese Cricketer Lamichhane Back

Star Nepalese cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane, who is free on bail while facing rape charges, will take the pitch at the upcoming World Cup League 2 tri-series.

Lamichhane is accused of raping a 17-year-old girl in a Kathmandu hotel room last August.

The Cricket Association of Nepal said the 22-year-old’s inclusion on the squad for the February 14-21 home series against Namibia and Scotland in a post on its official Twitter account.

The decision was widely expected after the body lifted the star spin-bowler’s suspension earlier this month.

“The board had taken disciplinary action against him and suspended him. The new decision to lift the suspension will allow him to play games,” Cricket Association of Nepal president, Chatur Chand said.

A day earlier, Nepal’s attorney general had appealed the decision to free Lamichhane on a bond of two million rupees ($15,400). He had been in custody since his October 6 arrest at Kathmandu airport.

“We have asked the Supreme Court to overturn the high court’s decision to release him on bail,” Sanjiv Raj Regmi, a spokesman at the Office of the Attorney General, said at the time.

AFP/Mercy Chukwudiebere