Sudurpaschim Royals have appointed former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq as their head coach for the third edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), scheduled to begin on October 26.
The franchise announced Misbah’s appointment through its official social media accounts, welcoming the experienced former cricketer to its coaching staff ahead of the upcoming season.
Misbah brings extensive experience in international cricket and franchise tournaments. He captained Islamabad United to their maiden Pakistan Super League (PSL) title in 2016, the inaugural edition of the competition.
During his T20 international career, Misbah played 162 matches, scoring 3,491 runs at an average of 33.89, including one century. He also enjoyed considerable success as Pakistan’s Test captain, guiding the national side to 26 victories in 56 matches.
Under his leadership, Pakistan reached the top of the ICC Test rankings in 2016, marking a significant achievement in the country’s cricket history.
Earlier this year, Misbah served as batting coach for Peshawar Zalmi, helping the franchise secure its first PSL title in nine years during the tournament’s 11th edition.
Speaking about his new role, Misbah expressed excitement at joining Sudurpaschim Royals and experiencing the passion of cricket supporters in Nepal.
“I am very excited to be joining the Sudurpaschim Royals as the head coach for the upcoming season. I have heard a lot about the passion for the cricket in Nepal. I am really looking forward to being part of that atmosphere and working with the talented group of players,” he said.
The third edition of the Nepal Premier League will run from October 26 to November 21.
Sudurpaschim Royals have been among the competition’s strongest sides, finishing at the top of the league standings in both previous editions and reaching the final each time. However, they were unable to secure the championship on either occasion.
The Royals will look to convert their consistent performances into a title victory under Misbah’s guidance, while Lumbini Lions enter the upcoming tournament as defending champions.