KATHMANDU, March 6: The leg-spin sensation Sandeep Lamichhane has won the cricketer of the year accolade in NCCS CPAN Cricket Awards held in Kathmandu on Tuesday. Sita Rana Magar won the same award in women's category.
Lamichhane overcame challenge from fellow nominees skipper Paras Khadka, Dipendra Singh Airee, all-rounders Sompal Kami and Karan KC. The 18-year-old who is currently busy playing in Pakistan Super League (PSL) representing Lahore Qalandars, received a cash prize of Rs 132,000.
In women’s category, Sita Rana Magar won the accolade ahead of skipper Rubina Chhetri, Karuna Bhandari, Indu Barma, and Sarita Magar. Sita’s all-round performance helped Nepal finish second in both Thailand T20 Smash and ICC World Cup Qualifiers that were held recently.
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Similarly, Karan KC’s match-winning effort against Canada in ICC World Cricket League Division 2 last year was awarded as Moment of the Year. This particular award was decided by the online voting. KC’s monumental effort was the launching pad for Nepal to gain One-Day International (ODI) status in subsequently following ICC World Cup Qualifiers.
Likewise, young batsman Rohit Kumar Paudel was acknowledged with Emerging Cricketer of the Year. The 18-year-old recently became youngest half-centurion in international cricket breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s record. Paudel fended off competition from youngest T20I half-centurion Sundeep Zora, player of the series on his debut Avinash Bohora, left-arm spinner Lalit Rajbanshi, and woman cricketer Kabita Kunwar.
All three, Sita, Paudel and KC received Rs 66,000 each for their respective awards.
All the awards were presented for the cricketers' respective contributions in cricket in season 2018-2019. The awards were hosted by Cricket Players Association of Nepal (CPAN) in association with National College of Computer Science (NCCS).
Komal Bahadur Pandey was garnered with Lifetime Achievement Award.
