Kathmandu, March 21

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has given his consent to launch Nepal’s rising cricket star Sandeep Lamichhane’s jersey for the upcoming Indian Premier League, a source revealed today.

The 17-year-old leg-spinner was snapped up by Delhi Daredevils in the auction in January for this year’s IPL beginning next month. Lamichhane is the first Nepali cricketer to feature in the most popular T20 league of the world after he was sold to the club for the base amount of Rs 3.2 million.

“Delhi Daredevils CEO Hemant Dua will visit Kathmandu tomorrow and the jersey unveiling programme will be held at the PM’s office or his residence,” the source told THT.

“The PM has given his consent for the programme but we are yet to fix the time and venue,” said the source.

Nepali leg spinner Sandeep Lamichhane was picked by St Kitts and Nevis  Patriots for the Caribbean Premier League T20 tournament to be held from  August 8 to September 16.

Three months after he was picked by the IPL franchise, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots bought Lamichhane for $5,000 for the Caribbean Premier League T20 tournament.

Lamichhane’s fairytale journey began three years ago when the then national team head coach Pubudu Dassanayake was so impressed with his bowling that he picked him for the youth team camp at the age of 14.

Lamichhane made it to the ICC U-19 World Cup squad in 2016

and came into limelight when he bagged five wickets, including a hat-trick against Ireland. He also got an opportunity to train at Michael Clarke Academy run by the former Australian skipper, who met Lamichhane during a Twenty20 event in Hong Kong.