Kathmandu:West Indies batter Sherfane Rutherford has joined the Sudurpaschim Royals for the upcoming third edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), while Pakistani fast bowler Hunain Shah has signed with the Janakpur Bolts.
According to National News Agency RSS, the Sudurpaschim Royals announced Rutherford’s signing on Saturday. The team expressed confidence in the experienced left-handed batter’s ability to add strength and aggression to their batting lineup. Prakash Khadka, Chief Executive Officer of the Sudurpaschim Royals, stated that Rutherford’s batting skills and experience in franchise cricket would be valuable for the team’s goals this season.
Rutherford, aged 28, is known for his explosive batting in T20 cricket. He has played for the West Indies in 31 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 61 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), amassing 873 and 1,123 runs respectively.
Meanwhile, the Janakpur Bolts have enhanced their bowling attack by signing 24-year-old Pakistani pacer Hunain Shah. Shah has experience in Pakistan’s domestic cricket circuit and franchise tournaments, including the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). He impressed during the 2026 PSL, taking 17 wickets in 10 matches, and continued his form in the CPL by claiming 16 wickets in 13 matches for Jamaica Kingsmen, finishing among the tournament’s joint-leading wicket-takers.
The NPL will mark Shah’s second overseas league competition, providing him an opportunity to showcase his pace and wicket-taking skills on the franchise cricket stage. The third edition of the NPL is scheduled to begin on October 26 in Kathmandu.