Sandeep Lamichhane signs on for Big Bash League
Lamichhane, the 18-year-old leg-spinner, will turn out for Melbourne Stars in the 2018-19 edition of Australia’s premier domestic Twenty20 league, getting to live out his dream of playing at the MCG.
Excited to be announced as the player of @StarsBBL in this edition of @BBL. Thank you everyone for your lovely wishes and blessings. Will always try to give my best. Thanks to @TalhaAisham @CricketRaman ! Lots of love to everyone. God bless all ! @MClarke23 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/AotvWNbVEp
— Sandeep Lamichhane (@Sandeep25) October 23, 2018
He will be available for around half the team’s matches, as he has already signed up for the Bangladesh Premier League, taking place at the same time, as well. His BBL participation will be in two stints, before and after his BPL commitments in January.
Lamichhane, who was one of the stars of the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2016, is a popular choice in T20 leagues around the world. He’s played in the Indian Premier League, Caribbean Premier League, Afghanistan Premier League and Global T20 Canada, among others.
Very proud of this little champion. Dreams do come true when you work your backside off! 👏🏻👍🏻🏏 pic.twitter.com/9F4jZL3Gy2
— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) October 23, 2018
These performances caught the attention of Trent Woodhill, the Stars List Manager.
“I first saw Sandeep bowl for Nepal in the Asian U19 Championships in Malaysia and was immediately impressed by both his skill as a wrist spinner and also his energy,” Woodhill said.
“Lamichhane had a successful IPL debut for Delhi and bowled well in the CPL. We have high expectations that he will light up the BBL and become a star of the tournament.”
ICC World Twenty20 Asia Region Qualifier B: Nepal's Sandeep Lamichhane takes five wickets for second time in as many games
This, however, won’t be the first time the youngster has played cricket in Australia. One of his earliest champions was Michael Clarke, who while playing in the Hong Kong T20 Blitz in 2016 took note of the considerable talent before him and invited him to play grade cricket Down Under.
At Melbourne, Lamichhane will play alongside the likes of Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Adam Zampa.