Nepal legspinner Sandeep Lamichhane has been sentenced to eight years in prison by the Kathmandu District Court after being found guilty of raping an 18-year-old woman. The verdict, delivered on January 10, also includes a fine of Rs 300,000 (approximately $2,255) and an additional compensation order of Rs 200,000 (approximately $1,500) for the victim.

Lamichhane’s suspension by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) took place in early September of the previous year, coinciding with the issuance of an arrest warrant against him. At that time, Lamichhane, who was then the captain of Nepal, was participating in CPL 2022 with Jamaica Tallawahs in the West Indies. His suspension led to an immediate departure from the tournament, and his future in cricket became uncertain.

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Despite the conviction, Lamichhane expressed his intention to appeal the decision in a higher court, as confirmed by his lawyer, Saroj Ghimire.

Previously asserting his innocence on Facebook and labeling the charges as a “conspiracy and wrongful allegation,” Lamichhane made a controversial return to Nepal’s cricket side in February. However, during a Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series, opposing players refrained from shaking hands with him, highlighting the contentious nature of the situation.

Surprisingly, even after the conviction, Lamichhane continued to participate in cricket events, including the ODI World Cup qualifier in Zimbabwe and the ODI Asia Cup. On December 29, the same day as his conviction, he led PARSA Club XI to victory in a Nepal Pro Club Championship match in Birgunj. The ongoing legal developments cast a shadow over Lamichhane’s cricketing career, sparking discussions about the intersection of sports and legal matters.