Pokhara Avengers, the team featuring marquee player Kushal Bhurtel, has signed Scotland’s cricketer Michael Leask for the upcoming Nepal Premier League (NPL).
The 34-year-old Leask is an all-rounder known for his off-spin bowling and middle-order batting. He is also renowned for hitting long sixes. Leask has played 80 T20 matches, scoring 859 runs and taking 45 wickets.
Leask made his T20 international debut in 2013 and his One-Day International (ODI) debut in 2014. He had scored a century (107 runs) against Nepal in the World Cup League-2 match last year.
“I am very happy to join NPL and Pokhara Avengers. The team is getting better, and we are looking forward to creating some exciting moments on the field,” Leask said.
Pokhara Avengers president Subodh Tripathi mentioned that Leask’s arrival would enhance the team’s performance, while team managing director Manobal Shrestha expressed his happiness, stating that the inclusion of foreign players would increase the team and NPL’s value.
Pokhara Avengers, the most expensive team in NPL, has Nepali national team opener Kushal Bhurtel as their marquee player.
Other players from Nepal who have been selected for the team through an auction include Sagar Dhakal, Aakash Chand, Kiran Kumar Thagunna, Narayan Joshi, Bipin Khatri, Dilip Nath, Trit Raj Das, Sunam Gautam, Dinesh Kharel, and Amrit Gurung.
In addition, the team has already signed Rajeev Kumar, the batting and fielding coach of Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, as their head coach.
NPL is scheduled to be held from December 15 to January 6.
Pokhara Avengers Squad:
- Marquee Player: Kushal Bhurtel
- Squad: Sagar Dhakal, Aakash Chand, Kiran Kumar Thagunna, Narayan Joshi, Bipin Khatri, Dilip Nath, Trit Raj Das, Sunam Gautam, Dinesh Kharel, Amrit Gurung
- Foreign Players: Anderson Phillip, Bas De Leede, Andries Gous, Matt Critchley, Raymon Reifer, Michael Leask
- Head Coach: Rajeev Kumar (India)
- Advisor & Consultant: Jonty Rhodes (South Africa)
- Assistant Coach: Rijan Prajoo (Nepal)
