A New Era for Nepali Cricket
Sandeep Lamichhane, the right-arm leg spinner from Nepal, is making history as the country’s all-time leading wicket-taker in both one-day and T20 formats. His recent performance has placed him at the forefront of the ICC CWC League-2, where he is currently leading the wicket tally. Lamichhane stands out as the only Nepali cricketer to have claimed over 100 wickets in both formats, and he is now on the verge of becoming the first bowler to achieve 100+ wickets in the League-2 alone.
Lamichhane reached a significant milestone by securing 97 wickets in the League-2 after taking two wickets against the UAE in the opening match of the tri-series in Kirtipur. This performance was crucial in Nepal’s victory, as he bowled two maiden overs and conceded just 25 runs in his 10 overs. His efforts contributed significantly to the team’s win, which came after the UAE were dismissed for 163 runs.
The Match Highlights
In the match, the UAE chose to bat first after winning the toss. The Nepali batters managed to score 200 runs in 48.2 overs, with Dipendra Singh Airee top-scoring with 75 off 90 balls. Kushal Bhurtel and Karan KC followed with scores of 24 and 22 respectively. However, the UAE made a strong comeback in the second innings, with Harpreet Singh, Akshdeep Nath, and skipper Muhammad Waseem providing resistance.
Despite their efforts, the UAE could not sustain their chase, and Nepal eventually secured the win. Karan KC emerged as the most successful bowler for Nepal, taking four wickets in 9.2 overs, including two maidens and conceding 19 runs.
Nepal has accumulated 14 points from six wins in 21 matches of the ongoing League-2 cycle (2024-2027), showing their consistent performance in the tournament.
Lamichhane’s Journey
Lamichhane’s journey began when he made his ODI debut on August 1, 2018, against the Netherlands. On his debut, he took the wicket of Dutch opener Stephan Myburgh, marking the start of an impressive career. He has since taken 137 wickets in 67 ODIs and 136 T20I wickets in 74 matches.
His performance in the League-2 has been particularly notable, with over half of his ODI wickets coming from this tournament. Lamichhane’s first League-2 match was against Oman in February 2020, where he remained wicketless. However, he quickly made an impact, taking eight wickets in four games, including a six-wicket haul against the USA.
Statistics and Achievements
Lamichhane has picked up 97 wickets in 47 League-2 matches (45 innings) so far. His wickets include 22 against the USA, 16 against the UAE, 14 each against Scotland and Namibia, 13 against PNG, 10 against Oman, five against the Netherlands, and three against Canada. Notably, he has taken 35 wickets at the TU Ground alone.
Currently, Lamichhane leads the list of top League-2 wicket-takers, with Namibia’s Bernard Scholtz (94 wickets) and USA’s Saurabh Netravalkar (93 wickets) trailing behind. The only other Nepali bowler close to Lamichhane in the list is pacer Karan KC, who has 71 wickets in 48 games.
A Global Presence
Lamichhane’s talent has drawn attention from international cricket stars, including Australian cricketer Michael Clarke in 2016. Over the years, he has played in some of the world’s biggest franchise leagues, such as the Indian Premier League, Caribbean Premier League, and Big Bash League.
With just three wickets needed to reach the milestone of 100+ League-2 wickets, Lamichhane is set to make history when he faces Oman on Wednesday. His achievements are not just about numbers; they represent the progress of Nepali cricket on the global stage.
As Nepal continues its journey in the League-2, Lamichhane remains a vital player for the team. He is not only a reliable match-winner but also a symbol of how far the country has come in the Associate circuit. His performances inspire a new generation of Nepali cricketers and highlight the potential of the sport in the region.
