Seven Bangladeshis to play for four teams in NPL
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Four franchises have signed seven Bangladeshi cricketers for the third edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL). Bangladeshi cricketers will take the field for four teams in the 2026 edition. No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for the players concerned have already been approved.
Pokhara Avengers will feature the highest number of Bangladeshi cricketers in the NPL. Three Bangladeshis have signed contracts with the team: Shakib Al Hasan, Sheikh Mehedi Hasan and Mohammad Saifuddin.
Biratnagar Kings and Lumbini Lions have one Bangladeshi cricketer each. Young batter Jishan Alam will play for Biratnagar Kings, while all-rounder Shamim Hossain Patwary has secured a place with Lumbini Lions.
Meanwhile, Karnali Yaks have two Bangladeshi cricketers in their squad. The team will feature Under 19 World Cup winning captain Akbar Ali and all-rounder Ariful Islam.
In other words, three Bangladeshi cricketers will play for Pokhara Avengers, two for Karnali Yaks and one each for Biratnagar Kings and Lumbini Lions in this year's NPL.
Bangladeshi cricketers' participation in the NPL is not new. However, having seven players feature in a single edition will mark a notable presence for Bangladesh cricket. In particular, alongside franchise cricket veterans Shakib Al Hasan, Sheikh Mehedi and Saifuddin, younger cricketers will also have the opportunity to showcase their abilities.
Overall, the participation of seven Bangladeshis has generated additional interest among Bangladeshi cricket fans ahead of this year's Nepal Premier League.
