Kathmandu, May 15: Sandeep Lamichhane, the globally recognised cricketer from Nepal, has been acquitted of rape charges by Patan High Court in Nepal and is now available to play all forms of domestic and international matches, country's cricket board said in a press release on Wednesday. The 23-year-old faced eight years of imprisonment and half a million rupee fine handed over by a district court after being found guilty of rape in 2022.

Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) president Chatur Bahadur Chand said in a press release that "Honourable High Court of Patan has found Lamichhane innocent and his suspension from domestic and international cricket is lifted."

Leg-spinner Lamichhane has so far played 51 ODIs and 52 T20Is for Nepal with 112 and 98 wickets to his credit.

He has also played in IPL for Delhi Capitals, in Big Bash League for Hobart Hurricanes and for Surrey Jaguars in 'The Hundred'. He last played for Nepal in November in a T20I match against Oman at Kirtipur.

Lamichhane's acquittal means that he will be available to play for Nepal in the upcoming T20 World Cup in the Americas.

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Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Celebrations erupted across Kerala on Thursday after V D Satheesan was selected by the Congress High Command as the next Chief Minister of the state.

Satheesan was at the Contonment House in Thiruvananthapuram, the official residence of the Leader of the Opposition, when AICC leaders announced it in New Delhi.

Soon after the announcement, jubilant Satheesan supporters burst firecrackers and distributed sweets in several parts of the state.

Paravur in Ernakulam district, the Assembly constituency he has represented since 2001, witnessed large-scale celebrations.

Satheesan was widely seen as the frontrunner for the post, with UDF allies also backing his candidature during the selection process.

As the Leader of the Opposition in the outgoing Assembly, he led the UDF both inside and outside the House.

Apart from Satheesan, senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala and Congress MP K C Venugopal were also considered for the post.