In a striking turn of events, former cricket sensation Sandeep Lamichhane, once celebrated as Nepal’s cricket poster boy, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for rape. The 23-year-old leg spinner’s on-field prowess has elevated the sport’s stature in the Himalayan republic.

The legal saga began in 2022 when Lamichhane was accused of raping a young woman in a Kathmandu hotel. Despite being granted bail, he continued to represent the national team in international tournaments. However, the delayed trial concluded in December with his conviction, and the sentence was pronounced on Wednesday, as revealed by Kathmandu district court official Ramu Sharma.

Apart from the eight-year prison term, Lamichhane was ordered to pay a court fine of 300,000 Nepalese rupees (,255) and an additional 200,000 rupees (,500) to the victim, acknowledging the mental impact of the assault.

Lamichhane, currently not in custody, was absent from the courtroom during the sentencing. His lawyer, Saroj Ghimire, affirmed that they

“will appeal the decision in a higher court.”

The victim initially claimed she was a minor when assaulted, but the court ruled she was 18 in a previous decision. Lamichhane consistently denied the charges and maintained strong public support.

His legal troubles led to the loss of his captaincy and a brief arrest after he initially failed to return from the Caribbean Premier League in Jamaica, where he was playing when an arrest warrant was issued.

Despite the controversy, Lamichhane’s ban was lifted upon securing bail, allowing him to participate in national team activities, including World Cup qualifiers and the 2023 Asia Cup. His return to cricket sparked both support and opposition, with Scotland’s cricketers notably refusing to shake hands with him during an international tournament in Dubai.

While cricket has been gaining popularity in Nepal, the sport does not receive the same adulation as in other South Asian countries. Lamichhane played a pivotal role in Nepal’s cricket rise, becoming a sought-after player in lucrative leagues worldwide, starting with the Indian Premier League in 2018.

Amidst these developments, Nepal grapples with a significant number of unreported sexual assault cases, with about 2,300 reported cases in the 2021-22 fiscal year. The MeToo movement has seen limited participation in Nepal, with little to no consequences for those accused.