Sandeep Lamichhane has been given permission to travel outside of Nepal, which opens up the possibility of his participation in the ongoing Cricket World Cup (CWC) League 2 tri-series in Dubai. But whether he does end up playing remains subject to approval from the ICC.
Lamichhane was originally left out of Nepal's squad for the series, after it appeared he would not be allowed to travel outside of Nepal, as stipulated by the conditions of his bail. Lamichhane, 22, is facing charges of the sexual coercion of another person, and is out on bail at the moment.
But on Monday, he secured permission from the Supreme Court in Nepal to travel outside the country for the tri-series, also involving UAE and Papua New Guinea.
Britant Khanal, the Cricket Association of Nepal general manager, said that the board has written to the ICC, seeking permission for Lamichhane to be added to the Nepal squad. Despite Lamichhane's absence for the first match of the tri-series, against Papua New Guinea in Dubai, Nepal began their campaign with a four-wicket win.
Last week, in another CWC League 2 tri-series involving Scotland and Namibia in Nepal, Lamichhane took 13 wickets in four matches. That performance helped Nepal win all four games. He picked up three wickets in each of the first three games before picking up four in the final game against Scotland.
Lamichhane's involvement in that series drew protests from opponents and fans in the country, as well as on social media. He was suspended by CAN last year after an arrest warrant was issued following the allegations against him. He was taken into police custody and later granted bail, which was followed by his suspension being lifted by CAN earlier this month and his inclusion in the squad for the tri-series against Namibia and Scotland.
Nepal are currently placed sixth in the seven-team Cricket World Cup League 2 league table. Lamichhane has bagged 55 wickets in the competition - the most for Nepal - and is third in the overall list of wicket-takers. He is also the only Nepal player to have featured in T20 leagues in most parts of the world, including in the IPL, the BBL, the PSL, the BPL, and the CPL.