Sandeep Lamichhane selected for ICC World XI

Sandeep Lamichhane Selected for ICC World XI against West Indies

Sandeep Lamichhane, a young Nepali cricketer who entered the Delhi Daredevils team a few months back in January, has now been selected for the ICC World XI to play in a T20 match against the defending champions West Indies. The match will be held on May 31, 2018, at Lord’s Cricket Ground in St John’s Wood in London. This is the first time that a Nepali cricketer has been selected in the ICC World XI team.

The game is being organized to raise funds for stadiums that were destroyed by a hurricane in the Caribbean last year.

The teenage sensation, Sandeep Lamichhane was the first cricketer from Nepal to feature in an Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise when Delhi Daredevils bought the young leg-spinner for a base price of INR 2 Million (NPR. 3.2 Million). He got included in the ICC World XI squad as Shakib Al Hasan pulled out of the match due to some personal reasons.

Lamichhane in ICC World XI

Lamichhane in ICC World XI. Image Credit: Twiiter

The ICC World XI team is led by England captain Eoin Morgan and includes fabulous players like Sahid Afridi, Tamim Iqbal, Dinesh Karthik, Rashid Khan, Mitchell McClenaghan, Shoaib Malik, Hardik Pandya, Thisara Perera and Luke Ronchi. Meanwhile, the West Indies team will be captained by Carlos Brathwaite and will include Chris Gayle, Samuel Badri, Andre Fletcher, Rayad Emrit, Evin Lewis, Ashley Nurse, Keemo Paul, Dinesh Ramdin, Rovman Powell, Andrew Russell, Marlon Samuels, Kesrick Williams among other players.

In his IPL debut on May 12, Lamichanne put on a brilliant performance for Delhi Daredevils claiming a wicket and giving just 25 runs from his four overs against Royal Challengers Bangalore. His side Delhi, however, lost the match against Bangalore by 5 wickets.

Reacting to the news of his inclusion in the ICC World XI, Lamichhane said, “I am privileged to have been chosen to be a part of the ICC World XI against the Windies. It is an honor for the entire country and passionate followers of Nepal cricket, as well as an indicator that we are making our mark on the international game.” He continued, “Training, sharing the dressing room and playing with some of the trendsetters who we saw on television while growing up is something I look forward to. This is an opportunity for me to learn and improve, and I am committed to cashing in on this.”

With Sandeep’s selection in ICC World XI, we all Nepalis are hopeful that he’ll surely deliver a great match on 31st May.

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Featured Image: ICC