Sandeep Lamichhane has been included in Nepal's playing XI for their CWC League 2 tri-series opener against Namibia.
Lamichhane, by far Nepal's most recognised cricketer, is currently out on bail, though facing charges of sexual coercion of another person. But his return to international cricket was on the cards after Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) lifted its suspension of the player and included him in a training camp ahead of the series. Something that didn't go down well with sections of the population in his country, who organised protests in Kathmandu and called for a boycott of the tri-series, being held in Kirtipur.
Both Namibia and Scotland have also issued press statements that have hinted at - but stopped well short of expressing - unease over the selection.
CAN announced the squad on Friday. Two days before that, Cricket Scotland had said it was "aware of the reports regarding the legal status of Nepal's Sandeep Lamichhane, ahead of the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 Qualifiers". "As a governing body, and as a squad, Cricket Scotland stands firmly against all forms of abuse, which have no place in modern society," it said. "The player's availability for these games is a matter for the Cricket Association of Nepal and the ICC to consider."
Their counterparts at Cricket Namibia said that the board "strongly opposes all forms of gender-based violence, discrimination and abuse".
When Lamichhane's suspension was revoked by CAN, the board's general manager Britant Khanal told ESPNcricinfo that it was on the condition that Lamichhane would "respect the limitation prescribed" by the court that granted him bail in January this year. If Nepal were to travel outside the country, Lamichhane's participation would depend on whether the court gave him permission for it or not.
Lamichhane was taken into custody after he landed in Kathmandu in October last year, responding to an arrest warrant issued against him in September. At the time of the warrant, Lamichhane was participating in the Caribbean Premier League for Jamaica Tallawahs.
His suspension was revoked after he was granted bail by court, on the condition that he could not leave the country until a verdict had been reached in the case.
Nepal squad: Rohit Paudel (capt), Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Gyanendra Malla, Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Sundeep Jora, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Lalit Rajbanshi, Sandeep Lamichhane, Gulshan Jha, Bhim Sharki, Surya Tamang
Travelling reserves: Aarif Sheikh, Pratish GC, Shyam Dhakal, Arjun Saud