Twelve of the 28 group-stage matches of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) have concluded, but several franchises’ high-profile international signings have yet to appear at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Stadium in Kirtipur.

On Thursday, Janakpur Bolts will face Pokhara Avengers. Janakpur, having played two matches already, has not yet fielded South African fast bowler Wayne Parnell or spinner Imran Tahir. Similarly, Pokhara’s marquee signing, England World Cup winner Jason Roy, has yet to make his NPL debut. Both teams lost their first two matches, putting them in precarious positions ahead of Thursday’s clash.

Parnell arrived in Kathmandu just before Janakpur’s previous game and is expected to play against Pokhara, according to Janakpur Bolts Managing Director Niroj Khatiwada. Tahir, Roy, and Faf du Plessis are still participating in the Abu Dhabi T10 League. Khatiwada said Tahir will join Janakpur only after completing his T10 commitments.

The losing team on Thursday will suffer a third consecutive defeat, severely affecting its chances of reaching the playoffs. Pokhara team promoter Subodh Tripathi said the overlap with the Abu Dhabi T10 League and the upcoming IL T20 League has posed challenges for his squad. Pokhara’s Jimmy Neesham will leave mid-tournament, and Roy will join after completing his T10 league matches.

The IL T20 League is set to begin on December 2. Players from other franchises are also expected to participate, though formal announcements have not yet been made.

Roy is captaining Royal Champs in the Abu Dhabi T10 League. Tahir plays for Quetta Qavalry, and Du Plessis for Vista Riders. Royal Champs are bottom of the table and already out of the playoffs. They face Quetta on November 28, after which Roy could join Pokhara. By then, Pokhara will have played four NPL games.

Tahir’s Quetta tops the T10 League, keeping him in the UAE until November 30. Janakpur will have played four games by then. Du Plessis’ Vista Riders are fourth and strong playoff contenders; if they reach the playoffs, Du Plessis will stay with them until November 30. By that time, Biratnagar will have played five NPL matches. Biratnagar director Deependra Chaudhary confirmed Du Plessis will join immediately after T10, likely debuting against Lumbini Lions on December 3.

Champion Janakpur has signed Pakistani all-rounder Maaz Sadaqat. After winning the Asia Cup Rising Stars in Doha against Pakistan A, Sadaqat arrived in Kathmandu. He scored an unbeaten 96 vs Oman, 79 vs India A, and 37 vs UAE in the group stage, and 23 in both the semifinal vs Sri Lanka A and final vs Bangladesh A.

The 20-year-old left-handed opener, with 24 first-class and 25 T20 games, could debut for Janakpur against Pokhara on Thursday.