Already a proven performer in the Indian Premier League, 18-year-old Sandeep Lamichhane is ready to bamboozle Australia's best batsmen in the Big Bash League.
Melbourne Stars' recruit Lamichhane, set to make his BBL debut against Sydney Thunder in Canberra on Friday night, is widely tipped to be one to watch this season.
Nepal's legspinning prodigy was first introduced to Australian cricket fans by Michael Clarke, who sponsored Lamichhane to play grade cricket in Sydney at age 16 after being wowed during a tournament in Hong Kong.
Lamichhane has since gone from strength to strength, especially in 2018.
The tweaker played alongside Glenn Maxwell at Delhi this year then represented an International Cricket Council World XI at Lord's in May.
More recently, Lamichhane claimed the prized scalp of David Warner during his maiden Caribbean Premier League stint.
Adelaide Strikers superstar Rashid Khan, who snared a league-leading 18 wickets at 13.83 in the previous BBL season and was man of the match in Wednesday's season opener, has highlighted the value of a crafty spinner.
"He's probably not as strong and well developed but the way he has deception with his fast arm action (is similar to Khan)," Stars skipper Maxwell said.
"For such a young player, he's a very smart bowler.
"Training with him at Delhi, it took me about two weeks to work it out. Before that I was just hitting every ball straight up in the air or getting bowled.
"He's an absolute star. I saw the impact he had on the couple of games he played in the IPL, the confidence levels are there."
Lamichhane was mobbed at Melbourne's Nepal Festival on Saturday, with fans keen for selfies and autographs.
Maxwell is confident the Stars, who copped the wooden spoon in 2017-18 but have otherwise never missed the finals, are now better placed to handle the loss of some of their best players during the upcoming ODI series.
"I don't think it's going to affect us as much as it probably has in the past," he said.
"We've got great depth."
