Sandeep leaves Stars wanting more

Sandeep Lamichhane has fast become the find of this season's KFC Big Bash, but the electric Nepalese teenager might have already bowled his last ball of the tournament.

After sniffing out eight victims at 14 with an economy rate under seven in the Melbourne Stars' opening four games, Lamichhane left the country in the early hours of Wednesday morning to honour a deal with the David Warner-captained Sylhet Sixers in the Bangladesh Premier League.

The Stars could hardly have asked for any more from Lamichhane, either on or off the field.

Not only has he provided an attacking leg-spin threat every BBL team covets, his infectious enthusiasm and radiant smile literally filled out an entire bay of Nepalese fans at the Melbourne derby on New Year's Day.

After his blazing start to the tournament his MCG debut was, statistically, his worst return with the ball (1-31 from four overs). But the celebration that followed his sole wicket was worth the price of admission alone.

Tearing off towards the Great Southern Stand with his arms outstretched, Lamichhane clenched his fists and turned back towards his amused teammates without breaking stride before blowing a kiss to the sky and upper-cutting in delight.

One might have thought he'd won Nepal the World Cup rather than bowling Melbourne Renegades skipper Tom Cooper with a wrong'un.

It was the fourth time in as many games he'd gotten the opposing captain out – not that Lamichhane was aware.

"Is Cooper captain of the team? Ohh ... I thought Whitey (Cameron White) was captain of the team," he told cricket.com.au with a beaming smile. "Marvellous. It's a great achievement for me."

Lamichhane had about four-and-a-half hours between Tuesday's game finishing and his flight for Bangladesh departing and he still hadn't packed his cricket gear.

But after completing media duties, he wandered over to the far side of the MCG and signed autographs for his giddy bay of fans for 40 minutes, just as he'd done for large Nepalese turn outs at Stars' away games at the SCG, Manuka Oval and Blundstone Arena.

"They (the fans) give me a boost to perform well every time," he said.

"Hats off to them because they came in large numbers today as well, like Sydney, like Canberra, like Hobart. I'm really fortunate, really lucky – I'm proud to be a Nepalese.

"It was a really fantastic feeling for me to play out on the MCG."

Lamichhane was optimistic he'd be back with the Stars after his stint with the Sylhet Sixers is completed, but his return seemingly hinges on how well his two teams perform in the coming weeks.

If Sylhet, one of seven BPL franchises, fail to make the top four of the month-long tournament, Lamichhane should be back for the Stars' final two home-and-away games of BBL08 on February 8 and 10.

Should Sylhet go all the way to the BPL final, Lamichhane would likely only be able to return if the Stars make the semi-finals, to be held on February 14 and 15 before the decider on the 17th.

The Stars are set to welcome English paceman Liam Plunkett as Lamichhane's replacement, but the absence of their ace spinner will leave a huge hole, and not only at the bowling crease.

"It's just so good to have energy in the team," said teammate Marcus Stoinis, whose unbeaten 78 iced the Stars' seven-wicket victory on Tuesday.

"He's performed every game for us. It's good to have a youngster in the team, he's hard to pick, he fields pretty well, he's got energy … He's helped us get off to a good start."

"We will miss him, the young fella."