Last year Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi made history by becoming the first players from Afghanistan to be bought in an IPL auction and compete. On Sunday, it was the turn of spinner Sandeep Lamichhane to repeat a similar feat, becoming the first player from Nepal to be bought by a franchise.
When Delhi Daredevils procured him for his base price of Rs 20 lakh, it was not only a moment to cherish for the 17-year-old leggie but a red-letter day for Nepal — an associate nation. Lamichhane first shot into prominence at the 2016 Under-19 World Cup where he bagged a hat-trick (5/27) in an eight-wicket win over Ireland. He finished the event with 14 wickets from six games, emerging as the second highest wicket-taker.
Three months later, he took part in his first overseas T20 competition, turning up for Kowloon Cantons in the inaugural Hong Kong Blitz. So impressed was Michael Clarke by the teenager’s performance there, the former Australian skipper invited Lamichhane to train with Western Suburbs in the Sydney Grade competition.
Hemant Dua, CEO of Delhi Daredevils, said they chose to pick him after watching him during trials. “Everyone out there is scouting throughout the year. Most of the players are being looked at all the time. CPL, BBL, Ram-Slam etc, it’s all being looked at closely. Sandeep had a great U-19 World Cup. We called him for a trial and we liked him. We went ahead and bought him. It’s very heartening. What IPL has done for Afghanistan is creating heroes which is brilliant for cricket in Afghanistan. We’re happy for Sandeep and Nepal.”
DH News Service