Nepalese leg spinner Sandeep Lamchhane who has plied his trade in most of the world’s top T20 leagues would be seen in the English league, the T20 Blast for the first time. The 20-year-old will join the Worcestershire Rapids for the 2021 season of the Blast.
Confirming the news, Lamichhane himself tweeted, “Absolutely happy to be the part of @WorcsCCC family for @VitalityBlast. Always heard that county cricket is more than cricket because of it's culture, decorum and amazing crowd. I look forward to the day where more & more talented players from Nepal will feature in county. #2FIVE.”
Lamichhane who was spotted for the first time by Indian Premier League franchise Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in 2018 has now played in leagues all sound the world. The Aruchour born has represented Melbourne Stars and Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL, Sylhet Sixers in the Bangladesh Premier League, Nangarhar Leopards in Afghanistan Premier League and Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League. In the Caribbean Premier League, he has so far played for three sides including St. Kitts and Nevis Patriot, Jamaica Tallawahs and Barbados Tridents.
Reacting to the signing of a leggie, a key component in every T20I set up these days, Rapids Head Coach Alex Gidman said, “Sandeep has played in many tournaments and gained a lot of experience in franchise cricket. He’s a leg spinner, which is a bit of mystery spin we believe we need in our squad in terms of balance, so we are ecstatic with the signing.”
“This is his first taste of playing in England, and I’m sure he will do well and have an enjoyable summer with us,” he added. Having made his professional debut way back in 2016 at an impressionable age of 15 years, Lamichhane has so far played 96 T20s and in them, he has taken 125 wickets with an economy of 6.79 and the best figure of 4/10.