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Nepal: Sandeep Lamichhane tests positive for COVID-19, captain Malla returns negative swab, Manoj Katwal joins as an assistant coach

The Nepalese globetrotting-leggie, Sandeep Lamichhane has tested positive for COVID-19.

‘It’s my sincere duty to tell you all that I have been tested positive for COVID-19’, Lamichhane wrote on his social media.

According to his social media post, he felt a body ache since Wednesday.

Lamichhane was recently signed by the Hobart Hurricanes for the upcoming season of the Big Bash League. He played for the Melbourne Stars in the last two editions, where he collected 26 wickets from 21 appearances.

After being infected with COVID-19, however, the chances of the legspinner taking his spot for a third consecutive BBL are looking slim. He is willing to return to the field again if all goes well though. ‘Keep me in your prayers’, he tweeted.

Meanwhile, men’s captain Gyanendra Malla, vice-captain Dipendra Singh Airee and player Rohit Kumar Paudel, have all now received the all-clear after their most recent COVID-19 assessments. They had all tested positive immediately before their closed camp which started on the 26th of November.

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has confirmed today that all three have joined the ongoing camp in the TU Cricket Ground, Kathmandu. As reported by CAN, staff member Pradeep Lama also returned a negative test from his latest swab.

CAN has also assigned Manoj Katwal today to take up the role of an assistant manager in the camp. Jagat Tamata has been coaching the team.

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Dipesh Pandit

Proud citizen of the Himalayan country that plays cricket and eats momos. Most of my writing is about Nepal cricket.

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