KATHMANDU, May 27: Cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane has expressed his happiness that Nepal's dream is coming true even as he is not able to fulfill his own dream.
Writing on social media on Monday, Lamichhane wrote, “Honestly, even though my dream has not been fulfilled, what I am happy about is that my country’s dream has come true.”
Nepal is playing the T20 World Cup and Lamichhane is unable to join the team in America because the US Embassy refused to grant him a visa.
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The visa denial came despite the other members of the Nepali cricket team having already reached in the United States to prepare for the tournament. This development has posed a significant challenge not only for Lamichhane but also for the team's preparations ahead of such a crucial international event.
Lamichhane's visa issues follow closely on the heels of his acquittal in a high-profile rape case. Following the court's decision, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) promptly reinstated him to the national team, affirming his eligibility to compete at the international level.
A Spokesperson at the US Embassy in Kathmandu said they can not comment on individual visa cases as visa records are confidential under US law. “The US Embassy is extremely excited to have Nepal’s men’s national cricket team, the Rhinos, participating in the T20 World Cup in the United States and, in fact, a few Embassy officials met with them a few weeks ago to appreciate and encourage them before they headed out. We are wishing the entire team the best in the coming games,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson further clarified that the US Embassy in Kathmandu and other US consular ports around the world have made a concerted effort to ensure that members of the national cricket teams who qualify for the appropriate visa class are able to travel in time to compete in the World Cup.
