On September 5, Sudurpaschim Royals, runners-up of the Nepal Premier League’s inaugural edition, revealed Australian batter Chris Lynn as their first foreign signing. This was also the first foreign signing for NPL’s second season. Nepali cricket fans anticipated the league’s second season to be a grander, more exciting affair.

After Lynn’s signing, there was a halt on the foreign players’ revelation, mostly due to the Gen Z uprising of September 8 and 9. It took over a month for the fans to return to the buzz of the NPL.

Biratnagar Kings initiated the resumption of foreign players’ disclosure, announcing the Scottish opener George Munsey on October 11. In the last one-year period, Munsey is the leading scorer for Scotland in both ODIs (735 runs in 11 innings) and T20Is (224 runs in seven innings). Munsey ranks fourth in the list of Scotland’s all-time leading run scorers in ODIs (2,630 runs in 69 innings). In T20Is, Munsey (2,302 runs in 79 innings) is only 33 runs behind teammate Richie Berrington (2,335 runs in 93 innings) to claim the top spot in the list of Scotland’s all-time T20I run scorers.

As of November 15, the NPL’s eight franchises have announced the signing of 43 foreign players. And while there are some big names—such as Lynn, Faf du Plessis, Martin Guptill, Jimmy Neesham, Imran Tahir, Wayne Parnell, Jason Roy, Gulbadin Naib, Sohail Tanvir and Ravi Bopara—none of the others are to be taken lightly since all have established themselves as one of the bests in the clubs, regions and countries they play for.

From first NPL to second

Of the 43 foreign faces, 14 had already figured in the inaugural NPL.

Lumbini Lions are the only team not to have signed a known face from the first season, while Chitwan Rhinos have three former NPL players. The Rhinos gave continuity to the experienced duo—former England international Ravi Bopara and Pakistani pacer Sohail Tanvir—and bought Sai Zaif, a recognised all-rounder of England’s County cricket who played for Sudurpaschim Royals last season.

Bopara and Tanvir were crucial for the Rhinos, who were knocked out in the Eliminator by Karnali Yaks in NPL 2024, as they were the second-most run scorers and third-most wicket takers in the tournament, respectively.

Pokhara Avengers also have three former faces in their squad. Finishing seventh in the inaugural season, the Avengers have assembled a tough squad of foreigners for the second edition. The Avengers retained Raymon Reifer, the West Indian all-rounder, while leaving the fans awestruck by bringing in Jimmy Neesham, the New Zealand all-rounder who won the 1st NPL with Janakpur Bolts, and Daniel Alexander Douthwaite, the English cricketer who was with Kathmandu Gorkhas previously.

Meanwhile, Janakpur, the defending champions, have given continuity to their best batsman of the 1st NPL, Lahiru Milantha, a Sri Lankan-born currently playing in the USA. Milantha was the leading run scorer last season, racking up 293 runs in 10 matches.

Similarly, Sudurpaschim have called back two of their crucial bowlers—New Zealand’s Scott Kuggeleijn and Indian-born Harmeet Singh—for the second season.

Kuggeleijn, the right-arm pacer who had a brief time with the Blackcaps in all three formats, will be the key bowler for the Royals again as the first-season runners-up aim for the title this time. Kuggeleijn was the leading wicket taker in the 1st NPL, picking up 17 wickets in nine innings. Singh, who is a key spinner for the USA national team, had bagged eight wickets in five matches for the Royals.

After decent performances in the inaugural season, India’s Jaykishan Kolsawala and Australia’s William Bosisto are returning to represent Karnali again.

Meanwhile, Biratnagar Kings and Kathmandu Gorkhas will have New Zealand great Martin Guptill and Namibia’s Gerhard Erasmus playing for them again, respectively.

Guptill is the all-time highest run scorer in T20Is for the Blackcaps. In 118 innings of 122 matches for New Zealand in the shortest format, Guptill has 3,531 runs, which include two centuries and 20 half-centuries. In ODIs, Guptill is in the third position as New Zealand’s all-time leading run scorer.

On the other hand, Erasmus, the skipper of the Eagles who can also bowl well, is Namibia’s reigning all-time run scorer in ODIs and T20Is.

New foreign players to watch

Except for the players who have returned for the second season, there are several new players whom the fans have locked their eyes on with the belief that they can provide major entertainment throughout the tournament.

Against this backdrop, the Post takes a look at the key foreign players who will be debuting in the NPL.

Biratnagar Kings

Faf du Plessis

For long-time cricket fans, this is a player that needs no introduction. One of the best in the business, the South African hard-hitter is one of the biggest names in the 2nd NPL. He will be representing the Biratnagar Kings.

A two-time IPL champion, Du Plessis, who has captained South Africa across all three major formats, will be joining Guptill, another legend of the game, to strengthen Biratnagar’s batting lineup.

Du Plessis has suffered a couple of injuries in the past few years and has gone through surgeries. But he has been playing cricket nevertheless. He was in the USA for Major League Cricket in July, and was active in the 2025 IPL for Delhi Capitals. He was released by Delhi for the 2026 season, but one thing is certain: Du Plessis is a beast with the bat, and one of the best fielders in cricket’s history. Thousands of fans are looking forward to watching du Plessis grace the TU Cricket Stadium and hit humongous sixes.

Janakpur Bolts

Wayne Parnell

Janakpur Bolts are missing Jimmy Neesham as they could not call him back due to ICC’s restrictions on Test players’ signing in the NPL. But when Neesham, who is playing for Pokhara in the second season, comes to bat against them, they will have South African medium-pacer Wayne Parnell as a counterattack measure.

Parnell, who has played in five editions of the IPL from 2011 to 2023, has 35 wickets in 33 matches for Pune Warriors India (2011-2013), Delhi Capitals (2014) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2023).

With an experience of playing over 300 T20s throughout the globe, alongside six Tests, 73 ODIs and 56 T20Is for the Proteas between 2010 to 2023, Parnell has 496 wickets to his name. He also has 490 wickets in First Class and List A matches.

The left-handed bowler can also bat and is certain to be a great asset for Janakpur in their title defence.

Chitwan Rhinos

Dawid Malan

Malan, who is in his late 30s, was active in the Canada Super 60 in October for White Rock Warriors, a tournament which also saw Guptill finish as the second-highest run scorer.

Malan did not have a great time in Canada. But the top-order left-handed batter from England is not to be overlooked.

Having played 22 Tests, 30 ODIs and 62 T20Is for the England national side, Malan has over 10,000 runs in T20s and 13,000+ runs in First Class cricket. He was also in England’s 2022 T20 World Cup winning squad.

In his 30 one-day matches for England, Malan scored six centuries and seven half-centuries with a highest score of 140. Thus, when he comes to bat for the Rhinos, the opponents will not afford to take him lightly.

Kathmandu Gorkhas

Milind Kumar

The USA all-rounder Kumar made his senior debut only a year ago, at the age of 33. However, despite the late beginning in international cricket, Kumar has proved his worth with consistency.

He has played 22 ODIs and 21 T20Is for the USA since his debut in April last year.

After a prolific performance in the recent CWC League 2 tri-series against Nepal and the UAE, the host, Kumar became the player with the highest career batting average in ODIs, surpassing India great Virat Kohli, who is third in the list, by 10 runs.

Kumar is also in the second position in the list of leading run scorers in League 2 (2024-26). He has 1,016 runs in 21 innings, averaging at 67.73. In the previous tri-series against Nepal and the UAE, Kumar was never out for less than 70 runs in four matches; his highest score was 123 not out against the UAE on November 3. The scores show that Kumar, who is yet to play on Nepali soil, likes to bat against Nepal bowlers.

A right-arm offbreak bowler, Kumar has 28 wickets in ODIs and 12 in T20Is for the USA.

Lumbini Lions

Gulbadin Naib

The Afghanistan all-rounder Gulbadin Naib has sculpted biceps, an attribute he likes to flex often after taking a wicket. In fact, Naib was very much into bodybuilding before finding his rhythm in cricket through age-group tournaments.

With his well-trained arms, Naib can score big boundaries with much ease, a threat that is certain to haunt opponent bowlers.

Further, Naib can also turn the tide with the ball. A right-arm medium pacer, Naib has 74 ODI wickets for Afghanistan in 80 innings. He also has 35 T20I wickets in 46 of the 78 matches he bowled.

Naib has not let his muscles rest, having played in Hong Kong Sixes earlier this month.

Pokhara Avengers

Jason Roy

Jason Roy has not played for England’s senior team after his 116th ODI, which was against Bangladesh in March 2023. The 35-year-old, who has also represented England in five Tests and 64 T20Is, had a great career whenever he played.

He has 4,271 runs for England in ODIs, with 12 centuries and 21 half-centuries, and a highest score of 180, hit against Australia.

The opening batsman was revealed as Pokhara’s fifth signing, after the reveal of Neesham.

Born in South Africa, Roy migrated to England when he was ten. A successful schoolboy cricketer, Roy made his Surrey debut in the Twenty20 Cup at 17 years of age in 2008.

Roy’s last game was for Surrey in Vitality Blast Men in September this year. He has 10,554 runs in 412 matches (405 innings) in T20s. As a player who can hit boundaries with ease, Roy will be a foreboding presence for bowlers in the second NPL.

Sudurpaschim Royals

Chris Lynn

Coming all the way from Australia, Chris Lynn has played cricket throughout the world. Apart from the Australian national team, the 35-year-old has played in at least 30 franchises in the world’s top leagues such as the Indian Premier League (IPL), International League T20 (ILT20), Big Bash League (BBL), Vitality Blast, Pakistan Super League (PSL), Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and Lanka Premier League (LPL), among others.

Lynn is the top run scorer in the history of Australia’s BBL with 3,955 runs in 127 matches (125 innings). He landed at the Tribhuvan International Airport on Sunday night, becoming the 28th foreign player to arrive for the 2nd NPL.

Lynn was last seen playing cricket during Vitality Blast Men in September. In his four matches for Hampshire, Lynn amassed 222 runs with a century and two fifties, showing that he still had fire in him.

Karnali Yaks

Max O’Dowd

In the last one-year period, the Dutch opener Max O’Dowd is the Netherlands’ leading run scorer in both ODIs and T20Is. He has 429 runs and 341 runs in 10 innings each in T20Is and ODIs, respectively.

Further, O’Dowd is the Netherlands’ all-time leading run scorer in both formats. He is the only Dutchman to have over 2,000 runs in 20-20 cricket (2,309 runs in 87 matches), while he has 2,153 runs in 65 ODIs for the country.

The last time O’Dowd was in Nepal, he scored 107 runs in four matches. In T20Is, O’Dowd has scored 220 runs against Nepal in 12 matches (11 innings).

Moreover, in nine T20Is he has played in Nepal, O’Dowd has 234 runs in eight innings, with the highest score of 133 not out. As a player who loves Nepali conditions, O’Dowd, who landed in Kathmandu on Saturday, can turn into a headache for the opponents.