Scotland's players refused to shake hands with Nepal's Sandeep Lamichhane after their three-wicket loss in Kirtipur on Friday, a silent protest to the spinner's continued presence and participation in the ICC's Cricket World Cup League 2 series. The team shook hands with every other Nepal player after the game, but pointedly refused to do so with Lamichhane.
Lamichhane is currently out on bail, facing charges of sexual coercion. He was cleared to play in the series which also involves Namibia, after CAN (Cricket Association Nepal) lifted a suspension on the granting of his bail. The refusal to shake hands is the culmination of simmering tension among Scotland and Namibia's players over Lamichhane's presence. In an earlier game, Namibia's players had chosen to fist-bump Nepal's players - including Lamichhane - but refused to shake hands post-game.
Though there is understood to be anger among the players in those two teams, their boards - Cricket Scotland and Cricket Namibia - have only issued generic statements condemning gender-based violence before the tri-series began, also acknowledging that Nepal's selection was not their concern. The ICC has not commented publicly on his selection.
Scotland decided to keep their hands down for Lamichhane, believing that this would be a more powerful statement. It is believed Lamichhane had been made aware of the protest beforehand.
Lamichhane took 3 for 27 in the win, as Nepal recovered from 77 for 5 and then 177 for 6 to chase down 275 with three overs to spare. In Tuesday's opening game against Namibia, Lamichhane took 3 for 66 in a two-wicket win.
Lamichhane's presence at the pre-series training camp drew protests from fans in the country, as well as on social media. He was arrested last October on return to Kathmandu after an arrest warrant had been issued in his name while he was at the Caribbean Premier League. He has denied the allegations in a post on Facebook. Nepal next play against Namibia on Saturday.