Scotland’s cricket team players refused to shake hands with Nepal spinner Sandeep Lamichhane after a match between the two nations in Kirtipur on Friday.
The Scottish players shook hands with every Nepal cricketer barring Lamichhane as part of a silent protest to the spinner’s continued presence and participation in the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2, which also features Namibia.
Lamichhane, accused of raping a minor woman in September last year, is currently out on bail. After the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) lifted a suspension on granting bail to Lamichhane, the right-hander was cleared to participate in the ICC event.
Earlier this week, the Namibia team players chose to fist-bump with Nepal cricketers, including Lamichhane, but they refused to shake hands with him after the match.
Meanwhile, a video of Scottish players ignoring Lamichhane after their 3-wicket loss to Nepal is going viral on social media.
Scotland Cricket Team refuses after match handshake with Sandeep Lamichhane.
सन्दीप लामिछानेसँग हात मिलाएनन् स्कटिस खेलाडीलेhttps://t.co/bajsRRvfcDpic.twitter.com/mv3LHF4vYa
— NepalLinks ︎ (@NepaliPodcasts) February 17, 2023
सन्दीप लामिछाने दोषी ठहर भैसकेको छैनन्, आरोप लाग्ने वित्तिकै अपराधी भइदैन। सबै नेपालीको तर्फबाट – 🤝💪🫶🙌🇳🇵 pic.twitter.com/UA66En04Xd
— Nirmal Prasai🇳🇵 (@NirmalPrasai5) February 17, 2023
Reviewing the decision taken by their men’s team, the Scotland cricket board, in their official statement, said: “As a governing body, and as a squad, Cricket Scotland stands firmly against all forms of abuse, which have no place in modern society. The player’s availability for these games is a matter for the Cricket Association of Nepal and the ICC to consider.”
On the other hand, Cricket Namibia said that the board “strongly opposes all forms of gender-based violence, discrimination and abuse.”
