Nepal leg-spin sensation Sandeep Lamichhane has joined Melbourne Stars for the upcoming edition of Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL).
According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, the Nepal star will play for the Stars in two separate stints. His first stint will run from December 10 to January 5 following which he will take part in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
Upon completing his BPL engagement, Lamichhane will return to Australia for the remainder of the BBL season.
The 18-year-old will become the first Nepalese player to participate in Australia’s T20 league.
Lamichhane has previous experience of playing Down Under, having undergone a stint in Sydney’s grade cricket in 2016 under the watchful eyes of Michael Clarke.
The Nepal wrist-spinner was spotted by the former Australia captain during a T20 tournament in Hong Kong following which he was given a chance to play grade cricket in the country.
Lamichhane had played grade cricket in Australia in 2016 under Clarke.
When playing for Western Suburbs in the Sydney Premier Cricket tournament, Lamichhane had declared his intentions of participating in the BBL.
“My dream is to play Big Bash,” the Nepal man had told cricket.com.au in 2016.
The teenager has been making waves in various T20 leagues around the globe in 2018.
At the start of the year, he became the first Nepal cricketer to earn an IPL contract when he was brought by Delhi Daredevils. He impressed in the three matches for the Delhi franchise, picking up five wickets.
Since his maiden stint in the IPL, Lamichhane has earned contracts in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), BPL and the Global T20 Canada before being drafted by Melbourne Stars in the BBL.