It should have been Andre Russell’s last match in the third season of the Nepal Premier League when Biratnagar Kings faced Janakpur Bolts on Tuesday. However, the power hitter from the Caribbean has decided to extend his stay.

Speaking after Biratnagar’s two-run victory over the Bolts, Russell, who was the player of the match, Russell said that Nepal made him extend his stay.

“I will play one more match,” Russell told a group of journalists. “I love Nepal so much, I am staying. I am not going home.”

Russell scored a quickfire 52 off 29 to help the Kings put up the 175-run target. And he was the one who defended 13 runs off the last over. He picked four wickets in his four overs, giving away 45 runs.

“When you are in those situations a lot over the years … I tend to know what a batter is expecting and what I would not be expecting,” Russell said about the last over. “I bowled a short ball going across him—it was a bluff though—and it worked because if I was in that situation, even I wouldn’t have expected it. But on any other day, it could have landed in the stands—it is what cricket is all about.”

Russell, who also completed 10,000 T20 runs after coming to the NPL, said that he had kept that milestone five years ago.

“Five years ago, I set that goal,” Russell said. “I said to myself that I wanted to be the first fast bowling allrounder to achieve that mark of 10,000 runs and 500 wickets in T20.”

When asked if he thinks anyone can break his record, Russell replied, with a grin, “I am setting this mark as high as possible for the next fast bowling allrounder. So, he has to be either special or a Superman.”

Russell, meanwhile, added that he has now set a new goal: 12,000 T20 runs.

“When you set goals and work hard towards it, you make a lot of sacrifices,” Russell, who has won the T20 World Cup and the Indian Premier League twice, said. “You play with injuries, niggles and surgery, and come back stronger. It is a sweet moment when you achieve a goal that you set.”

Russell was also full of praise for Nepali talents.

“I see why Nepal beat West Indies and challenge other big teams in the world,” Russell recalled Nepal’s T20I series win over his home side and the challenge put by the young cricketing nation in the T20 World Cups. “Talent is here, and these guys have to get the right guidance and stay hungry and humble.”

When asked what he liked about Nepal off the field so far, Russell had many examples.

“The scenery,” he replied instantly. “The room that I got, I can see the mountains, including Mount Everest. Always heard about the tallest mountain in the world, and to be able to wake up to that view, it’s just amazing.”

Russell also said that Nepal was a beautiful and clean country, with very nice weather.

Nonetheless, Russell has raised the hopes of Nepali fans. Despite leaving after playing five games, Russell says that it is not the end.

“It is not that I just come and hit sixes. I still tend to watch what the bowler is doing … facing a few deliveries and see what’s happening,” Russell continued. “And this is one of the reasons why I am definitely, you know, coming back to this tournament next year because it is a good challenge.”

Biratnagar’s next match is against Kathmandu Gorkhas on Thursday. It means it will be Andre Russell vs David Warner.