Kathmandu Gurkhas, a leading franchise of Kathmandu Sports Development Ventures, on Tuesday signed English leg-spinner Nathan Sowter for the upcoming Nepal Premier League (NPL) T20 cricket tournament.

The 32-year-old Sowter is the Gurkhas’ fifth international recruitment. The dynamic white-ball specialist will join his compatriots Dan Douthwaite and Stevie Sean Eskinazi, the Netherlands opener Michael Levitt and Namibia’s Gerhard Erasmus as other international players in the team.

National men’s cricket team regular Karan KC is the marquee player of the Gurkhas.

The Gurkhas have also secured the services of Shahab Alam, Bhim Sarki, Rashid Khan, Shankar Rana, Krishna Karki, Dipesh Kadel, Sumit Maharjan, Raju Rizal, Vivek KC and Pratik Shrestha through the auction.

On Saturday, the Gurkhas selected Krish Karki as their local iconic player through talent hunt.

Sowter, known for his precision and ability to turn games with his crafty bowling, is set to add strength to the Gurkhas’ bowling arsenal.

Sowter has been a standout performer in English domestic cricket, playing a pivotal role in T20 tournaments, including the T20 Blast. His skill set and match-winning abilities make him a crucial addition to the Gurkhas squad.

“Nathan Sowter brings a wealth of experience and tactical brilliance to our team. His ability to deliver under pressure will be vital to our campaign. We are thrilled to have him as part of the Gurkhas family and are confident he will make a significant impact in NPL 2024,” Sandesh Katwal, chief executive officer of Kathmandu Gurkhas, said while announcing the signing of Sowter.

The Australia-born English cricketer has showcased his skills in The Hundreds, Vitality Blast (T20 Blast), Caribbean Premier League and International League T20, taking 154 wickets in 143 T20 games. He has also scored 245 runs.

“It’s an honour to join Kathmandu Gurkhas for the Nepal Premier League,” Sowter said. “I’m excited to play in front of passionate cricket fans in Nepal and contribute to the team’s success. Let’s make this season memorable!”

The inaugural edition of the NPL is set to take place from November 30 to December 21 at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.

The Gurkhas will open their NPL campaign with a match against Chitwan Rhinos on December 2.