Cricketer Lamichhane gains new height

Kathmandu, May 7

Nepal’s leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane, who made headlines after being picked up by Delhi Daredevils for this season’s Indian Premier League, is one of the most celebrated cricketers in the country at present.

His popularity has earned him the nomination in the People’s Choice category of the NSJF Pulsar Sports Award slated for May 17. Footballer Kiran Kumar Chemjong, volleyball’s Man Bahadur Shrestha, Pratima Sherpa of golf and Santoo Shrestha of table tennis are other nominees in the category. The winner will be decided through SMS voting, Facebook likes, votes from the NSJF members and coaches of 35 sports.

Lamichhane, who left his mark in the ICC U-19 World Cup in 2016 after becoming second highest wicket-taker with 14 wickets, was in draft list for Bangladesh Premier League and Pakistan Super League. Lamichhane’s popularity reached the peak when Delhi Daredevils picked him up for Rs 3.2 million in the IPL auction.

Lamichhane also became the best player in the ICC World Cricket League Division-II in Namibia by claiming 17 wickets. His 5-20 against Kenya is the best figure by a Nepali player in List A cricket.

Lamichhane continued to shine and picked up 13 wickets in the ICC World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe and helped Nepal earn the One Day International status for the first time. After being picked up by Delhi Daredevils in the IPL, Lamichhane was bought for $5,000 by St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in Caribbean Premier League T20 tournament.