Janakpur Bolts Launch NPL-3 Campaign with International Stars and Renewed Ambition
Janakpur Bolts, the Nepal Premier League franchise representing Madhesh Province and named after the city of Janakpur, launched their NPL-3 campaign on October 27 as the team's most dramatic rebuild yet takes shape on the field. After winning the inaugural NPL title and then crashing to last place in the second edition, the franchise overhauled its roster, releasing its marquee player and signing international names including Sri Lanka's Kusal Perera, England's Moeen Ali, and New Zealand's Jimmy Neesham. Their opening match of the season was played against Karnali Yaks at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.
🤝 Champions to Last Place: Janakpur Bolts Overhaul Squad for NPL-3 Comeback
Janakpur Bolts, champions of the inaugural Nepal Premier League, endured a dramatic fall in the second edition, winning just one match to finish at the bottom of the standings. Ahead of the third season, the Madhesh Province franchise made sweeping changes to its squad. The most significant move was the release of Aasif Sheikh, the team's designated marquee player and a member of Nepal's national cricket team, making Janakpur the first NPL franchise to ever release a marquee player. Leg-spinner Lalit Rajbanshi was subsequently named as the new marquee player. The team also became the first franchise to appoint a captain other than its marquee player. Looking back at the team's history: in the inaugural season, Aasif Sheikh was marquee player while Anil Shah captained the side. Janakpur finished second in the league stage, lost the first qualifier to Sudurpaschim Royals, then beat Karnali Yaks in the second qualifier to reach the final, eventually defeating Sudurpaschim to lift the inaugural title. The second season saw a sharp decline, with the team changing captains and benching players as results failed to come. Ahead of the third edition, the franchise brought in experienced international players, including England allrounder Moeen Ali and New Zealand allrounder Jimmy Neesham, in a bold attempt to revive their title challenge after two seasons of wildly contrasting fortunes. [7]
🎬 Sri Lankan Batter Kusal Perera Signs with Janakpur Bolts for NPL-3
Janakpur Bolts confirmed the signing of Sri Lankan batter Kusal Perera for the third edition of the Nepal Premier League. Perera is a left-handed aggressive batter known for his ability to perform in high-pressure situations and big tournaments. He has represented Sri Lanka in international cricket across all three formats and has accumulated experience by playing in various T20 leagues around the world. His signing brings a proven track record of international franchise cricket to what is a growing domestic T20 competition in Nepal. According to Janakpur Bolts, Perera's arrival is expected to significantly strengthen the team's batting lineup for the upcoming NPL season. The franchise described his aggressive batting style and wide-ranging experience as qualities that will greatly support the team's bid for the title in the third edition. His presence at the top of the order could provide the explosive start that any T20 side looks for, and his broader tournament experience may help guide younger Nepali players around him. The signing is part of Janakpur's deliberate strategy to recruit established international talent as the franchise seeks to restore the form that made them inaugural NPL champions. [6]
🎉 Janakpur Bolts vs Karnali Yaks Open the Third Nepal Premier League Season
Janakpur Bolts took on Karnali Yaks in the third match of the Nepal Premier League 2026-27 season on October 27, 2026, at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. The day/night match was played over 20 overs in the standard NPL format. For Janakpur Bolts, it marked the opening fixture of their third NPL campaign. At the time of the match, the standings showed Lumbini Lions sitting at the top of the table with two points and a net run rate of plus 4.599 after winning their opening game, while Sudur Paschim Royals sat at zero points with a net run rate of minus 4.599 following a loss. The remaining six teams including Janakpur Bolts, Karnali Yaks, Biratnagar Kings, Chitwan Rhinos, Kathmandu Gorkhas, and Pokhara Avengers had not yet played and each carried zero points going into their respective first matches. With just the third match of the season being played, the NPL-3 was still in its earliest stages, and each team's opening performance would set the tone for their campaign and begin to shape the standings table for the rest of the tournament. [3]
Sources: [7] OnlineKhabar English News · [6] Ratopati · [3] ESPN