Faf du Plessis Arrives in Nepal to Play in NPL

South African cricketer Faf du Plessis has arrived in Nepal.
He landed in Kathmandu on Monday to play for the Biratnagar Kings in Season 2 of the Nepal Premier League (NPL). The Biratnagar Kings had already signed him earlier.

Du Plessis came to Nepal after playing in the Abu Dhabi T10 League. His team, Vista Riders, won only 3 out of 7 matches and did not reach the playoffs. Du Plessis has a lot of experience he has played 69 Tests, 143 ODIs, and 50 T20 internationals for South Africa.

Biratnagar Kings have already played 5 league matches. They still have to play against Lumbini Lions and Sudurpashchim Royals.

• They will play Lumbini on Wednesday
• Sudurpashchim on Saturday

If Biratnagar wins one of these matches, they will reach the playoffs. If they win both, they will secure a spot in Qualifier 1.

At the airport, du Plessis said,

“I have seen on social media that Nepali fans are crazy about cricket. I love playing in front of big, loud crowds. Biratnagar has played well even without me, and I hope to help the team do even better. I have played league cricket all around the world, and since I was already in this region, it was easy for me to come here.”

Biratnagar’s team director, Dipendra Chaudhary, said that du Plessis will play for the team throughout the competition. Biratnagar also has South African fast bowler Merchant de Lange in their squad.

Other Foreign Players Arriving

• England’s World Cup–winning opener Jason Roy arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday to play for Pokhara Avengers. Pokhara will field him on Tuesday against Karnali Yaks.
• New Zealand star Jimmy Neesham has left for the UAE to play in the ILT20, so he will not play further in the NPL.
• English county all-rounder Dan Douthwaite is out of the tournament due to injury.

Veteran South African spinner Imran Tahir, signed by Janakpur Bolts, has not yet arrived. The team’s general manager, Niroj Khatri, said that Tahir will not play on Tuesday against Chitwan Rhinos, and his arrival is still uncertain. If everything goes well, he might play the last two matches for Janakpur.

Team Changes in Chitwan Rhinos

Chitwan, who are under pressure to reach the playoffs, have signed English fast bowler George Scrimshaw.

• He has played 1 ODI for England.
• The 27-year-old has taken 96 wickets in 67 T20 matches.
  He will be the fourth English player in the Chitwan team, joining Ravi Bopara, Dawid Malan, and Saif Zaib, along with Pakistan’s Sohail Tanvir.

More Player Movements

• Lumbini’s Gulbadin Naib, Kathmandu’s Gerhard Erasmus, and Biratnagar’s Shubham Ranjane have all left for the UAE to play in the ILT20.
• Sudurpashchim Royals have added India’s Puneet Mehra to their squad.
• The team’s Jazz Brown will go to Dubai for the ILT20 after the league stage.