Nepal hope for Lamichhane US visa as T20 World Cup deadline passes

Nepal remains hopeful about including controversial cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane in their T20 World Cup squad, despite him being denied a US visa and the squad deadline passing. The team is lobbying the embassy through the Nepal government for his inclusion. Lamichhane recently had his rape conviction quashed on appeal. Any changes to the squad now require ICC approval. Nepal's first two group games will be in the US, followed by matches in the West Indies. Lamichhane's exclusion from the original squad was due to his prior conviction. He expressed disappointment over the visa denial. Nepal will play their opening match against the Netherlands on June 4. Lamichhane's cricket success before his legal troubles significantly boosted the sport's popularity in Nepal.