Lamichhane in national team, #BoycottCAN trading on Twitter

Former captain of national team, Sandeep Lamichhane, who served a jail term for 99 days on the charge of raping a minor girl, has been included in the national cricket team.

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) on Tuesday lifted the suspension after Lamichhane was released on bail by the Patan High Court.

CAN, on Thursday had announced a 20-member squad for the second round of closed training on Thursday evening in which Lamichhane has also been included.

Nepal is playing a triangular series with Namibia and Scotland under the ICC Cricket World Cup League Two. This series will take place from February 14-21 at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground.

CAN officials said that Lamichhane is likely to play the tri-nation series to be held at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on February 14 under World Cricket League 2.

CAN has been been facing widespread criticism for lifting the suspension on Lamichhane prior to the final verdict in the case. Meanwhile, Twitter users in Nepal have started a campaign using the hashtag #BoycottCAN against the Cricket Association of Nepal’s decision to include the rape-accused Lamichhane in the national team preparing for the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2.

The cricket governing body had suspended Lamichhane after Kathmandu District Court issued an arrest warrant against him on charge of raping a minor on August 21.

A 17-year-old girl filed a rape case against Lamichhane on September 6, accusing him of raping her twice on August 5. Lamichhane was initially sent to judicial custody by the Kathmandu District Court but was released on bail by the Patan High Court on January 12.

Lamichhane on Wednesday met Monti Desai, who has been overseeing the training since Sunday.