Nepal legspinner Sandeep Lamichhane has been denied US visa once again as his application to secure US visa was rejected for the second time, making it impossible for him to be available for Nepal in their campaign at the T20I World Cup 2024. Last week his first visa application was rejected, forcing Nepal government and Cricket Association of Nepal to intervene and put their efforts to help Sandeep but their efforts also didn’t turn out to be of any help as the visa application was rejected again.
"Despite taking necessary initiatives, along with the diplomatic note, from the government of Nepal, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Youth and Sports, National Sports Council, CAN and International Cricket Council (ICC) for cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane's visit to participate in the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup in the United States and West Indies, the US Embassy has expressed its inability to give travel permission (visa) to national player Lamichhane to play the World Cup," CAN said in a statement as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
T20I World Cup 2024, which is scheduled to be played in West Indies and USA, will be beginning from June 1. Nepal will kick off their T20I World Cup campaign from June 4 with their opening match against Netherlands.