Namibia captain Merwe Gerhard Erasmus has signed for Kathmandu Gurkhas for the Nepal Premier League (NPL) T20 cricket tournament, the team said on Friday.

The first edition of the NPL is set to begin on November 30 in Kathmandu.

Erasmus, who was named ICC’s Player of the Year in 2022, has played 52 One Day Internationals and 65 Twenty20 Internationals for Namibia, scoring nearly 2,000 runs and taking 38 wickets in ODIs, and amassing 1,557 runs and 53 wickets in T20Is.

Erasmus led Namibia to the Super 12 stage of the 2021 T20 World Cup, securing an 8-wicket victory against Ireland with an unbeaten 53-run knock. In February this year, Erasmus helped Namibia win three out of four games during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 Nepal Tri-Series, involving Nepal, Namibia and the Netherlands.

"Merwe Gerhard Erasmus is one of the finest players in Associate cricket, and he's a true leader for his team. His arrival will significantly strengthen Kathmandu Gurkhas in both batting and bowling, and his leadership skills will also be a big boost. We are eagerly looking forward to his arrival," said Sandesh Katwal, chief executive officer of Kathmandu Gurkhas.

Erasmus, who also plays in the International League T20 (ILT20) in Dubai, said he is very excited to join Kathmandu Gurkhas for the NPL.

"I am extremely proud to become a member of the Gurkhas family. Representing an iconic team in a country known for its courage and strength, Nepal, is a great

honour for me," said Erasmus. "We are ready to bring that fearless spirit to the cricket field and make it memorable."

Erasmus is the second foreign player to join Kathmandu Gurkhas after the team also signed Netherlands opener Michael Levitt, who holds the record for the fastest T20 International century for his country. In March, Levitt scored a blistering 135 off 62 balls against Namibia in Kathmandu, reaching his century in just 49 balls. During that tour, Levitt also made two half centuries in three T20Is against Nepal.

Kathmandu Gurkhas, owned by Kathmandu Sports Development Venture, has Karan KC as their marquee player. The Gurkhas have also bought Shahab Alam, Bhim Sharki, Rashid Khan, Shankar Rana, Krishna Karki, Dipesh Kandel, Sumit Maharjan, Raju Rijal, Vivek KC and Pratik Shrestha through auction.