Former Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan arrived at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu on Friday, greeted by a massive crowd of enthusiastic supporters.
Sporting the traditional Nepali ‘Dhaka Topi,’ Dhawan made his way through the VIP terminal amidst cheers and fanfare.
Dhawan’s decision to play in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) for the Karnali Yaks comes shortly after being released by his IPL franchise, Punjab Kings, and going unsold in the league’s mega auction.
Fans and NPL supporters turned up in large numbers, celebrating his arrival with music and dancing. Dhawan was later seen waving to fans from a car that transported him to his team’s hotel.
The former Indian star expressed excitement about his debut in Nepal and shared his eagerness to explore the country’s landmarks alongside cricket.
“This is my first visit to Nepal, and I am thrilled to be playing in the Nepal Premier League for Karnali Yaks. I look forward to sharing the field with local and national players and putting on a great show. I also hope to visit iconic sites like the Pashupatinath Temple and Mount Everest,” Dhawan told ANI.
The inaugural Nepal Premier League, beginning November 30, will feature international stars like Ben Cutting, Ravi Bopara, Chadwick Walton, Marchant de Lange, and India’s Unmukt Chand. All matches will be held at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.