KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Youth and Sports has initiated efforts to address the visa rejection of national cricket player Sandeep Lamichhane by the US Embassy in Kathmandu.

Following discussions between Youth and Sports Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha and Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) Secretary Paras Khadka on Thursday, the Ministry forwarded a formal request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urging assistance in securing Sandeep’s visa.

Minister Shrestha affirmed, “We’ve taken all necessary steps from the ministry’s end for Sandeep’s visa,” pledging continued support.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is now tasked with advancing Sandeep’s visa application, crucial as the T-20 Cricket World Cup looms, set to kick off in America and the West Indies on June 1.

Nepal, captained by Paras Khadka a decade ago in their maiden World Cup appearance, has since dispatched a 15-member squad led by Rohit Paudel.

Currently engaged in practice matches in Houston, Nepal finds itself in Group D alongside South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands.

Their World Cup campaign commences on June 4 against the Netherlands, followed by matches against Sri Lanka (June 11), South Africa (June 14), and Bangladesh (June 16).