Shakib Al Hasan Joins Pokhara Avengers for Nepal Premier League

Bangladeshi cricket icon Shakib Al Hasan has secured another chapter in his globe-trotting franchise career after signing for the Pokhara Avengers ahead of the upcoming season of the Nepal Premier League. Despite his absence from the national team setup, the veteran all-rounder continues to draw interest across global franchise circuits, currently featuring for Jaffna Kings in the Lanka Premier League.

The franchise announced the high-profile marquee signing across its official social media platforms with an elaborate video reveal. Welcoming the thirty-eight-year-old left-arm spinner and batter, Pokhara hailed him as one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history. The digital presentation depicted Shakib seated on a throne atop a Himalayan mountain peak, accompanied by symbolic imagery of the Royal Bengal Tiger.

This move marks Shakib’s inaugural stint in the Nepal Premier League, an emerging competition that has steadily expanded its reach since launching in 2024. The Janakpur Bolts captured the inaugural title during the tournament’s first edition, while Lumbini Lions lifted the trophy in the subsequent season. Securing an international player of Shakib’s pedigree reflects the league’s ambitious push to raise its global profile and attract broader viewership across South Asia.

The announcement comes amidst an active run for the veteran in Sri Lanka with Jaffna Kings. Across four matches in the Lanka Premier League, Shakib has taken five wickets with his characteristic left-arm orthodox spin, though his output with the bat has remained modest, yielding ten runs from two innings.

Over a career spanning nearly two decades, Shakib has built an extensive franchise resume, having featured in premier global tournaments including the Indian Premier League, Australia’s Big Bash League, the Caribbean Premier League, and the Pakistan Super League. His entry into Nepalese cricket underlines his enduring appeal as a seasoned short-format campaigner and a major draw for growing cricket markets.

The Pokhara Avengers will rely heavily on Shakib’s vast tactical experience, accumulated over hundreds of international fixtures and domestic T20 matches, to provide leadership as they pursue their first league title. Fans in Pokhara are keenly anticipating the new season, eager to watch one of the region’s most accomplished cricketers in action.