Former Nepal captain Paras Khadka joins Trevor Bayliss-led T10 franchise

In January, Khadka captained Nepal to their first ever ODI series win against UAE, with his 115 the first ever century made by a Nepalese batsman in ODI cricket

Team Abu Dhabi, the franchise in the Abu Dhabi T10 competition coached by Trevor Bayliss, have added former Nepal captain Paras Khadka to their ranks.

The 32-year-old allrounder joins Englishmen Moeen Ali, Luke Wright, Harry Gurney, Lewis Gregory, Richard Gleeson and Alex Davies in the squad led by the former England coach.

Khadka announced his decision to resign the Nepal captaincy a day after the reinstatement of Cricket Nepal by the ICC on a conditional basis, having been suspended in 2016 for breaching ICC regulations in relation to government interference.

The 31-year-old batsman made has been a key part of Nepal’s rise up the world rankings, while adding a solitary ton in T20I cricket last month in Nepal’s nine-wicket win over Singapore – the first T20I hundred ever scored by a man from his nation.

In January, Khadka captained Nepal to their first ever ODI series win against UAE, with his 115 the first ever century made by a Nepalese batsman in ODI cricket.

He has been picked up by the newest T10 League franchise as an ‘international community promoter’ player ahead of November’s competition.

Khadka said: “It is an honour to be joining Team Abu Dhabi and I can’t wait to be involved in this incredibly exciting tournament. I know the matches are going to be intense, but I love playing against the world’s best. I’m hoping to see the Nepalese flag flying high in the stands of Zayed Cricket Stadium when I play next month.” 

Bayliss added: “Paras is an impressive player who excels in short-forms of the game. Both his batting and bowling prowess make him a threat to any team, and he adds another exciting dimension to the balance of Team Abu Dhabi.

“I’m sure that Nepalese fans are going to love the opportunity to see him perform in Abu Dhabi this November.”

Subscribe to The Cricketer for exclusive content every day: The inside track on England's Test tour with George Dobell in Pakistan, award-winning analysis, breaking news and interviews and the only place for in-depth county coverage all year round. Plus: An ad-free app experience at your fingertips. Subscribe to thecricketer.com today for just £1.