Lamichhane, role model for many
Kathmandu, June 19
Sandeep Lamichhane is just 19 years and he has already earned the status of globe-trotting cricketer.
The journey began two years ago after Delhi Daredevils bought him for the Indian Premier League and that opened the floodgate for Lamichhane.
After playing in the cash-splashing IPL in 2018 season, he travelled to almost all corners of the globe to play in the shortest version of the game.
After IPL, Australia’s Big Bash was the second important franchise-based league for him although he featured in Caribbean Premier League (West Indies), Pakistani Super League and Bangladesh Premier League.
The sensational teen has proved that no dream is impossible and has become a poster boy of Nepali cricket. He has got a massive fan following, especially in social media and the young prodigy is a real hope of Nepali sports. The journey, however, has been a dramatic one.
Identified by former national team skipper Raju Khadka and picked up by the then national team coach Pubudu Dassanayake, Lamichhane took huge strides to reach the peak.
The five-wicket haul including a hat-trick against Ireland in the ICC U-19 World Cup in 2016, Marylebone Cricket Club’s tour to Kathmandu and meeting former Australian skipper Michael Clarke in Hong Kong Blitz were the other key moments that helped him in becoming the successful cricketer. Lamichhane has managed his time to play for national team and he was the key member of the squad that earned maiden One Day International and T20 International series against the UAE earlier this year.
The performance on the pitch along with popularity among cricketing fraternity worldwide has earned Lamichhane the nomination for the third time in the People’s Choice category under Pulsar Sports Award, organised by Nepal Sports Journalists Forum in association with Action Sports and powered by Gold Star. Lamichhane is in fray along with footballer Sabitra Bhandari, bodybuilder Maheshwor Maharjan, shuttler Prince Dahal and volleyball player Reshma Bhandari.
The winner is decided by SMS votes along with Facebook likes and votes of head coaches of national sports associations and the NSJF members. THT LIVE is the official voting partner of the award. The 16th edition of the Award features 10 categories and winners of male, female, coach and people’s choice will receive Pulsar NS160 motorcycle each.