Who is Sandeep Lamichhane? The Nepal cricket captain who is accused of rape

New Delhi: Nepal cricket team captain Sandeep Lamichhane, who has been accused of rape, on Friday denied allegations stating that he is 'innocent' and called the allegations 'baseless'.

Lamichhane, who is currently playing in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), said that he would take a leave from the tournament and return to his country.

The leg-spinner from Nepal issued a statement on social media saying, "I am innocent and keep complete belief in the respectable laws of Nepal. I have decided to take a leave from CPL and go back to my country within a few days. I am ready to face all these baseless allegations. May justice be served to the innocent and the right investigation to be done towards everyone involved. Hope the law acts equal to everyone."

Lamichane's statement came after the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) suspended him for being accused in an alleged rape case.

On Thursday, a complaint was lodged in a Kathmandu police station against Lamichhane by a 17-year-old girl. At the time, Lamichhane was in the West Indies with the Jamaica Tallawahs squad for Carribean Premier League (CPL).

The 22-year-old is the only one from Nepal cricket to have played in T20 leagues around the world, including the Indian Premier League, Australia's Big Bash League, the Bangladesh Premier League, the Lanka Premier League and the Caribbean Premier League.

His came to limelight in January 2018, at age 17, when he became the first Nepalese player to be included in IPL auction, fetching a bid of Rs 20 lakh from earstwhile Delhi Daredevils (now Delgi Capitals).

In October 2018, he was signed by the Melbourne Stars for the Big Bash League (BBL), becoming the first cricketer from Nepal to play in the BBL. (UNI)