By a Staff Reporter
Oman’s captain and all-rounder, Aqib Ilyas, will be part of Biratnagar Kings in the first edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL).
Biratnagar announced through social media that Ilyas has joined their team, becoming their first foreign player. He is the second foreign player signed for the NPL after Pokhara Avengers added American wicketkeeper-batsman Andries Gous.
Ilyas has played 32 ODIs and 56 T20Is for Oman, amassing 2,534 runs and taking 70 wickets in total. Last week, Biratnagar also appointed former Irish cricketer Kevin O’Brien as their head coach.
The first NPL season will run from November 30 to December 21. Biratnagar’s marquee player is Sandeep Lamichhane, a well-known cricketer from Nepal’s national team. In the recent NPL auction, every team selected 10 Nepali players.
Each team is required to sign 4 foreign players in total. The NPL will feature 8 teams and is organized by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN).
Biratnagar Kings Squad:
Sandeep Lamichhane, Lokesh Bam, Pratis JC, Basir Ahmed, Rajesh Pulami Magar, Jitendra Kumar Mukhia, Anil Kharel, Deepak Bohora, Subhash Bhandari, Naren Bhatt, and Mrinal Gurung.