Andre Russell enjoyed his time in Nepal so much that he extended his stay.

One of world’s finest allrounders in the shortest format, Russell, who had come for four matches, decided to play one more for Biratnagar Kings in the third season.

But the fifth match did not go well, either for Russell or the Kings.

Biratnagar were invited to bat first by Kathmandu Gorkhas after losing the toss. And the Gorkhas utilised the decision to bowl first very well.

Despite Russell in the squad, Biratnagar, the team that had posted a target of 106 runs in five overs against Sudurpaschim Royals, could only manage 83 runs before getting bundled out in 18.3 overs.

Shubham Ranjane’s departure as the sixth wicket in 8.3 overs saw Russell come in. The total on the board for the Kings then was 30/6.

Russell then had the experienced Sri Lankan Angelo Mathews protecting the wicket on the other end. But Russell left Mathews and returned to the pavilion soon.

Russell, who had scored three runs, got caught out by Jahandad Khan in the 10th over bowled by Dev Shah. Shah is a rare ‘chinaman’ in Nepal. Chinaman, in cricket, is a term for a left-arm wrist spin bowler. 

And the big man did not have a good spell with the ball either.

Opening the second innings for Biratnagar, Russell gave 14 runs. Starting with a no-ball hit for a four by Sahil Patel, Russell got smashed for three fours by the same batter in the first over.

Russell was also given a special gift by the Kings before the match against Kathmandu. The wooden gift was related to Russell crossing the 10,000 run milestone in T20 while in the NPL. He was also wearing a custom jersey—with 10000 written on the back instead of his regular ‘12’.

But he had his worst match of the season in his last.

Russell smashed 33 off 17 against Chitwan Rhinos, 27 off 15 against Karnali Yaks, 29 off 10 against Sudurpaschim Royals and 52 off 29 against Janakpur Bolts. Against Kathmandu, it marked the only instance when Russell could not reach double figures.

Meanwhile, Russell did give many reasons to cheer for the fans while he took up either the bat or the ball.

Russell smashed eight fours and 14 sixes in the third season. He also picked six wickets, with a best bowling figure of 4/45 against Janakpur.

“He [Russell] deserves everything,” Biratanagar skipper Sandeep Lamichhane said after the loss against Kathmandu. “It is a big milestone he has achieved. We grew up watching him and it was a great moment to play with him.”

Meanwhile, Biratnagar head coach Dhammika Prasad said that he has had a talk with the team owner, Paras Luniya, to get a good replacement for Russell, which, however, won’t be easy.