Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) on Thursday suspended former captain of the national cricket team Sandeep Lamichhane from international and domestic cricketing activities, a day after Kathmandu District Court sentenced him to eight years in jail for rape.

“As Kathmandu District Court has already convicted and determined a jail term to Nepal national cricket team player and former captain Sandeep Lamichhane for rape, we inform that Sandeep Lamichhane has been suspended from the domestic and international cricketing activities,” CAN President Chatur Bahadur Chand said in a statement.

Kathmandu District Court on Wednesday handed over a jail term of eight years to the 23-year-old cricketer and slapped him Rs300,000 in fine and Rs200,000 in compensation. The court on December 29 convicted the globe-trotting leg spinner of rape as per section 219—1, 2 and 3 (e)—of the Criminal Code Procedure, following a 15-month long judical process.

A single bench of judge Shishir Raj Dhakal, which had convicted Lamichhane, had determined the jail term and fine after further hearing.

“Eight years of jail term was determined as per Section 219 3 (e) of the Criminal Code Procedure while the financial penalty was fixed as per Section 228,” said Chandra Prasad Panthi, information officer at the district court.

Lamichhane, who was earlier released on bail, was not in court for Wednesday's sentencing. He can continue his legal fight without being arrested.

The sentencing brings a halt to Lamichhane’s five-year long glittering career that saw quick rise in the national and international arena.

Lamichhane played in franchise tournaments around the world, including cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL), Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL), Pakistan Super League and the Global T20 League of Canada.

Lamichhane was then the captain of the national team when a girl, “Gaushala-26”—name given to the victim by the police—filed a complaint against him accusing him of raping her in a Kathmandu hotel, in September, 2022. He was in Trinidad & Tobago to play in the Caribbean Premier League from Jamaica Tallawahs at the time.

Following the rape charges and subsequent arrest warrant issued by the Kathmandu District Court, CAN dismissed Lamichhane as national captain and suspended him from cricket.

Lamichhane was taken into custody on October 6, 2022 upon arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport.

He was freed on bail in January last year and, a month later, CAN lifted his suspension, paving way for him to compete in the national and international tournaments.

He returned to the national team in February last year for Nepal’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 home tri-series against Namibia and Scotland amid widespread protest.

He also travelled to Zimbabwe in June last year to participate in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier and to India to play the 2023 Asia Cup three months later.

Lamichhane’s lawyer Saroj Ghimire has said they will challenge the district court’s ruling in high court.

Lamichhane has reiterated his innocence throughout the trial.

Chand said Lamichhane could return to national duty again only if the high court gives him a clean sheet.

“He will be back in the national team on the day the court proves him innocent,” Chand said. “But, for now, we respect the court’s verdict.”