Sandeep Lamichhane, Paras Khadka and other players missing from the T20 World Cup Qualifier in the UAE - in pictures

Nepal fell short of reaching the qualification event alongside the likes of the USA and Zimbabwe

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  1). Sandeep Lamichhane (Nepal). The leg-spinner has become a T20 globetrotter during a remarkable rise in the sport over the past two years. The 19-year-old played at the Caribbean Premier League until the end of last month, then returned to thrive for Nepal in series in Singapore and Oman. Pawan Singh / The National

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  2). Paras Khadka (Nepal). Nepal’s captain became the first batsman from his country to score a T20 century, against Singapore last month. He resigned the captaincy of the national team on Tuesday, a day after the country’s cricket board had been readmitted to the ICC. ICC via Getty Images

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  3). Anshuman Rath (Hong Kong). This time last year, Rath led Hong Kong’s plucky resistance in an Asia Cup tie with India in Dubai. Now he has given up the captaincy of his national team, and his place in the team altogether, in favour of pursuing a professional career in India instead. AFP

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  4). Babar Hayat (Hong Kong). Regarded as one of the most destructive batsmen in Associate cricket when on song, Hayat was initially named in Hong Kong’s squad. He then made himself unavailable, apparently in solidarity with Tanwir Afzal after the former captain was not selected. Getty Images

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  5). Hayden Walsh Jr (United States). The leg-spinner impressed as the USA proved more than a match for the UAE in a series in Dubai last season. Since then, his reputation has been enhanced no end. He was the leading wicket-taker in this season’s CPL, and was duly named player of the tournament. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  6). Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe). Quite where this week’s decision to reinstate Zimbabwe as an ICC member leaves players like Raza remains to be seen. In July, he seemed clear his career was over. “Certainly not how I wanted to say goodbye to international cricket,” he tweeted when Zimbabwe were suspended. AFP

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  7). Ali Khan (United States). Troubled by a back injury when USA played in the UAE last season, so his fast bowling talents could not be fully appreciated. First really caught the eye in the CPL, and he has played at a number of other franchise leagues around the world, too. Getty

The shock failure of Nepal and United States to make it to this month’s T20 World Cup Qualifier in the UAE means we will be deprived of seeing some of emerging cricket’s brightest stars.

Despite being the highest ranked side in the world at the time, outside of the 10 automatic qualifiers for the main event in Australia next year, Nepal fell short of reaching the qualification event. In the final leg of Asian pre-qualifying, they were beaten by Singapore.

United States missed out when Bermuda shocked them in the Americas regional qualifier, while Zimbabwe are also absent from this tournament having been suspended by the ICC earlier in the year.

Above is a picture gallery of some of the star names missing from the T20 World Cup Qualifier. To move on to the next image, click on the arrows, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.