Since the inception of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), cricket enthusiasts have been eager to know what’s new this season and which foreign players will participate. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has implemented a regulation restricting teams from contracting more than four currently active Test players among international signings. As a result, the eight teams have been unable to secure as many star players as they had hoped. However, according to the Cricket Association of Nepal, there is a possibility that the ICC may lift this limitation, which raises expectations for more foreign players to take part in the NPL. Moreover, several prominent players have already been signed, fueling excitement around the tournament.
The first season of the NPL, launched under the slogan ‘Festival of the Himalayas,’ gained significant attention with the participation of former Indian national cricketer Shikhar Dhawan. Subsequent inclusion of players like New Zealand’s Jimmy Neesham and Martin Guptill, England’s Ravi Bopara, and Pakistan’s Sohail Tanvir allowed audiences to witness outstanding performances from seasoned international athletes. Neesham played a pivotal role in leading Janakpur Bolts to the championship. The addition of better seating arrangements and floodlight facilities at the Kirtipur Stadium, compounded by the presence of foreign stars, further elevated the popularity of Season 2.
Now, which notable players are confirmed for NPL Season 3? This time around, the league will feature Australia’s David Warner, England’s Moeen Ali, Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan, Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza, and Sri Lanka’s Charith Asalanka. Experts believe their arrival will significantly boost the tournament’s enthusiasm. Among them, David Warner, brought in by the Gorkhas team, stands out as one of the marquee players. Warner has been instrumental in Australia’s T20 and Test World Cup victories and has won the ICC Cricket World Cup trophy twice.
England’s Moeen Ali is another prominent figure in world cricket. He was a key member of England’s squads that won the 2019 ODI World Cup and the 2022 T20 World Cup. The former national captain and all-rounder has also captained England across all three ICC formats.
Bangladesh’s former all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan will be seen playing for Pokhara Avengers this season. Zimbabwean skipper Sikandar Raza currently ranks second among international T20 all-rounders. Sri Lanka’s Charith Asalanka will also participate as a fresh and exciting face in NPL Season 3. Besides these, there is a strong possibility of seeing several other well-known former players on the field this season.
