The High Court has overturned an eight-year prison sentence on appeal by the former captain, who could be included in the T20 World Cup squad.
Nepali cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane's rape conviction has been quashed by an appeals court after the former national team captain challenged his eight-year prison sentence for sexual assault handed down in January.
“The High Court has overturned the district court's decision. Sandeep Lamichhane has been acquitted,” Patan High Court spokesperson Bimal Parajuli told AFP news agency on Wednesday.
Lamicyan was found guilty of raping an 18-year-old woman in a hotel in Kathmandu in 2022.
Several media outlets in Nepal and India reported that Lamichhane is likely to be included in the Nepal squad for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
Nepal named a provisional squad for the tournament earlier this month, but changes can be made until May 25, a deadline set by the International Cricket Council.
Lamichhane, 23, is the face of Nepali cricket and is the only player from the Himalayan nation to have participated in the prestigious Twenty20 league with India, Australia, Pakistan and the West Indies. His leg-spinner's success on the field increased the profile of the sport in the Himalayan republic.
In 2022, he was accused of raping a young woman in a Kathmandu hotel and was detained after police issued an arrest warrant. He was then released on bail and rejoined the team to compete in international tournaments.
Lamicyan was found guilty of rape in December after repeated trial delays.
Lamicyan initially did not return from Jamaica, where he was playing in the Caribbean Premier League, when authorities issued the arrest warrant.
The leg-spinner was suspended as Nepal's captain but was free to continue his sporting career. This allowed him to remain in the national team, including the World Cup qualifiers and the 2023 Asian Cup.
When he returned to the field for the first time in February last year, he was greeted by hundreds of cheering cricket fans. However, the continuation of his playing career also led to anger and caused many Nepalis to disown the team.
Scottish cricketers refused to shake his hand after a match during an international tournament in Dubai.