NEPAL spinner Sandeep Lamichhane was arrested yesterday almost a month after a court issued a warrant over the alleged rape of a 17-year-old girl.

Lamichhane, 22, was taken into custody after landing at Kathmandu airport in Nepal, local police told Reuters.

He said on Facebook he was returning to co-operate with the investigation and has denied any wrongdoing.

Lamichhane is Nepal’s most high-profile cricketer, having played in Australia’s Big Bash and the Indian Premier League (IPL).

He was suspended as Nepal captain last month following the rape accusations.

The warrant was issued by a Nepalese court on September 8 while Lamichhane was at the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

A day later he tweeted to say he was leaving the CPL and would return to Nepal.

On September 25, he issued a further statement having not returned, and after this Nepalese police said they had sought help from Interpol with a “diffusion” notice asking member countries for their co-operation in bringing Lamichhane back to the country to face charges.

“News of the arrest warrant issued against me made me mentally disturbed. I could not think what to do and what not to do,” Lamichhane said.

“My health condition is gradually improving and I am planning to return to Nepal as soon as possible to vehemently fight back (against the allegations).”

He arrived in Kathmandu on a flight from Doha yesterday. (BBC Sport)