In an untoward incident on the cricket field, the Scotland cricketers was seen insulting Nepal's star cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane during the ICC's Cricket World Cup League 2 series in Kirtipur on Friday (February 17). The Scottish players along with their staffs refused to shake hands with Lamichhane during a match between Scotland and Nepal. Lamichhane is accused of raping a 17-year-old girl in a Kathmandu hotel room in August last year.
A viral video is doing rounds on Internet where Scotland players can be seen ignoring Lamichhane as they totally snubbed him and refused to shake hands with him. Namibian players too did the same with Lamichhane earlier in the competition.
Here's the video..
It was learnt that the Scottish players shook hands with all Nepal players but Lamichhane as a sign of silent protest. It was also learnt that Lamichhane was made aware of the protest much in advance. Lamichhane, ex-Nepal's skipper, is currently out on bail while facing charges of rape. However, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) lifted the player's suspension and included him in a training camp ahead of the series, sparking widespread outrage in Nepal.
Lamichhane returned to the side in the opening game of the one-day international World Cup League 2 tri-series against Namibia in Kathmandu on Tuesday.
Cricket Scotland made no public comment about the gesture which came at the end of a one-day match the Scots lost by three wickets.
Lamichhane, who has denied the allegations against him in a Facebook post, is likely to receive similar treatment when the teams next meet on February 21. The 22-year-old took 3/27 on Friday as Nepal recovered from 77/5 and 177/6 to chase down 275 with three overs to spare. In Tuesday's opening game against Namibia, Lamichhane took 3/66 in a two-wicket win.
Before the tri-series started, Cricket Scotland issued a statement, saying it was 'aware of the reports regarding the legal status of Nepal's Sandeep Lamichhane, ahead of the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 Qualifiers'.
It added: "As a governing body, and as a squad, Cricket Scotland stands firmly against all forms of abuse, which have no place in modern society.
"The player's availability for these games is a matter for the Cricket Association of Nepal and the ICC (International Cricket Council) to consider."
The ICC, however, have yet to comment publicly comment on Lamichhane's selection. Lamichhane had been a poster boy for the rise of cricket in Nepal, which gained one-day international status in 2018.
Lamichhane rose to fame when he was roped in by Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) for Rs 20 Lakh in IPL 2018. Nepal will next face Namibia on Saturday in the tri-series.
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