West Indies batsman Trevon Abashai Griffith will captain Janakpur Royals in the Nepal T20 League, the country’s first ever official franchise tournament which is set to take place between December 23 and January 20, 2023.

“My aim is to give Janakpur the trophy of Nepal T20 League,” Griffith said at Janakpur’s team announcement and the jersey unveiling function in Kathmandu on Tuesday.

The 31-year-old top order batsman has played for both Jamaica and Guyana in first-class cricket and represented the West Indies Under-19 team at the 2010 World Cup in New Zealand. He also played for Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Caribbean Premier League between 2013 and 2015.

“Griffith is the best option we have, based on experience,” said Janakpur head coach Umesh Patwal.

Sompal Kami, the marquee player of Janakpur, was named as vice-captain. Medium-fast bowler Kami had led Chitwan Tigers to their maiden Everest Premier League title in October last year.

“Sompal knows about Nepali players. He will assist Griffith and coordinate with him in making key decisions,” the coach added.

Janakpur also announced their 17-member squad that includes six foreign players.

Knights will lock horns with Pokhara Avengers on Friday in the opening match of the tournament.

Janakpur will open their campaign by taking on Pokhara on December 24.

Janakpur Royals squad:

Chadwick Walton (West Indies), Trevon Abashai Griffith (West Indies), Kesrick Williams (West Indies), Ashan Priyanjan (Sri Lanka), Sharafuddin Ashraf (Afghanistan), Samiullah Shinwari (Afghanistan), Sompal Kami (Nepal), Sandeep Jora (Nepal), Mohammad Adil Alam (Nepal), Dilip Nath (Nepal), Lalit Rajbanshi (Nepal), Sushan Bhari (Nepal), Sagar Pun (Nepal), Pawan Sarraf (Nepal), Jitendra Mukhiya (Nepal), Khadak Bohara (Nepal) and Rajesh Pulami (Nepal).