Former South African captain Faf du Plessis arrived in Kathmandu on Monday to play in the Nepal Premier League (NPL). Biratnagar Kings had already signed him.

Du Plessis came directly from the Abu Dhabi T10 League, where his team, Vista Riders, won only 3 of 7 matches and failed to reach the playoffs. The South African veteran has played 69 Tests, 143 One-Day Internationals, and 50 T20 Internationals.

Biratnagar have played five matches in the league stage, with fixtures against Lumbini Lions on Wednesday and Sudurpaschim Royals on Saturday. Winning either match would secure a playoff spot, while winning both guarantees a place in Qualifier 1.

“I’ve seen how passionate Nepali fans are on social media. I enjoy playing in front of packed crowds. Biratnagar have been performing well, and I’ll try to contribute even more,” Du Plessis said at Tribhuvan International Airport. “I’ve played in leagues around the world. Being nearby made it easier to come here.”

Du Plessis will play the full tournament for Biratnagar, team director Dipendra Chaudhary confirmed. The side also includes South African pacer Marchant de Lange.

Other franchises have also strengthened their squads. England’s World Cup-winning opener Jason Roy arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday and will debut for Pokhara Avengers against Karnali Yaks on Tuesday, after returning from the Abu Dhabi T10 League. New Zealand star Jimmy Neesham has left for the IL T20 in the UAE, while English county veteran Dan Douthwaite is ruled out with injury.

South African veteran spinner Imran Tahir is yet to join the Janakpur Bolts. Janakpur General Manager Niroj Khatiwada confirmed Tahir will miss Tuesday’s game against Chitwan Rhinos, with a possibility of playing the final two matches if all arrangements are complete.

Chitwan Rhinos, under pressure to make the playoffs, have signed England pacer George Scrimshaw, who has played one ODI for England and taken 96 wickets in 67 T20s. He joins England’s Ravi Bopara, Dawid Malan, Saif Zaib, and Pakistan’s Sohail Tanvir in the squad.

Other notable updates include Lumbini Lions’ Gulbadin Naib, Kathmandu Gorkhas’ Gerhard Erasmus, and Biratnagar’s Shubham Ranjan moving to Dubai for IL T20 matches. Sudurpaschim Royals have signed Indian pacer Puneet Mehra, while Josh Brown will leave the post-league stage for the IL T20 in Dubai.