Pokhara Avengers NPL 2026 Squad and Captain
The Pokhara Avengers squad 2026 features captain Kushal Bhurtel, Shakib Al Hasan and coach Ajantha Mendis for NPL Season 3.
Kushal Bhurtel will captain the Pokhara Avengers in NPL 2026, with former Sri Lanka spinner Ajantha Mendis as head coach and Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan as the franchise’s headline overseas signing. The Pokhara Avengers squad 2026 also includes Sri Lankan all-rounder Dhananjaya Lakshan, giving the team two experienced overseas players for Season 3. The Nepal Premier League runs from October 26 to November 21, with all 32 matches at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.
Pokhara enter the season looking for a clear improvement. They finished seventh in the inaugural NPL in 2024 and fifth in NPL 2025, missing the playoffs on both occasions. With Bhurtel leading the side, Mendis coaching the group and Shakib available as an all-round option, the Avengers have reasons to believe this can be a more competitive campaign.
FAQWho is the captain of Pokhara Avengers in NPL 2026?
Kushal Bhurtel is the Pokhara Avengers captain for NPL 2026. He is also the franchise’s marquee player, and the team retained him ahead of Season 3. Bhurtel is a Nepal batter, and his role at the top of the order will be central to how Pokhara build their innings.
Captaincy in a short T20 tournament is demanding. There is little time to recover from a poor decision, and the captain must manage bowling changes, field placements and batting orders while also contributing personally. For Bhurtel, the challenge is to stay calm at the top of the order while giving Pokhara’s younger local players clear roles.
FAQWho is in the Pokhara Avengers squad for NPL 2026?
The confirmed Pokhara Avengers players list has 15 names as of October 2026. Overseas players: Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh and Dhananjaya Lakshan of Sri Lanka. Shakib is an all-rounder, while Lakshan is also an all-rounder and has re-signed for a second season with Pokhara.
Local batters: Kushal Bhurtel, Bipin Acharya, Sudip Aryal, Sunny BK, Dinesh Kharel, Arjun Kumal and Pratik Pokharel. The franchise has confirmed Bhurtel as a marquee retained player, while Arjun Kumal and Dinesh Kharel were among the retained local players. The exact batting roles for several of the other local players are not yet confirmed.
All-rounders: Shakib Al Hasan and Dhananjaya Lakshan. Shakib is a left-handed batter and slow left-arm orthodox bowler, while Lakshan is a Sri Lankan all-rounder who has returned to the franchise after playing for Pokhara in the previous season. Their presence gives Pokhara two players who can contribute with both bat and ball.
Bowlers: Sagar Dhakal, Aakash Chand, Arjun Gharti, Bipin Khatri, Bibek Kumar Rana Magar and Kiran Thagunna. Sagar Dhakal was retained by the franchise, as were Aakash Chand, Bipin Khatri and Kiran Thagunna. The remaining squad members were signed through the auction. Specific bowling types for some players have not been officially detailed, so fans should treat the final role balance as provisional until the franchise confirms its full playing combinations.
FAQWhat does Shakib Al Hasan add to the team?
Shakib gives Pokhara experience that few NPL squads can match. He is a former Bangladesh captain who has played more than 400 international matches, and he brings left-handed batting, slow left-arm orthodox bowling and a long history of leading sides in pressure situations.
His signing was announced by Pokhara Avengers for NPL 2026 and reported by Himal Press and Nepal News in July 2026. In my view, his biggest value may be tactical. Mendis is a coach known for spin-bowling ideas, and Shakib is the kind of experienced all-rounder who can help younger Nepali players understand match-ups, field settings and how to bowl through the middle overs.
There is one caveat. Himal Press reported that it remains unclear whether Shakib will be available for the entire season because of his involvement in other franchise leagues after retiring from international cricket. Pokhara will therefore want clarity on his availability before planning their best XI.
FAQHow did Pokhara Avengers do in NPL 2024 and 2025?
Pokhara Avengers finished seventh in NPL 2024. They won two of their seven league matches and collected four points, according to the official ESPN standings for the 2024 season.
In NPL 2025, Pokhara improved to fifth. They won three of seven matches and finished with six points, but missed the four-team playoff. The Kathmandu Post reported that Pokhara secured fifth place after beating Chitwan Rhinos by eight wickets in their final league match. Lumbini Lions went on to win that season, while Janakpur Bolts had won the first edition in 2024.
FAQWhere are Pokhara Avengers strong, and where are the question marks?
Pokhara’s biggest strength is experience. Bhurtel gives them a recognized local batter and captain, while Shakib and Lakshan add international all-round depth. That combination should help in the middle overs, where a team needs batters who can rotate strike and bowlers who can control the game.
Spin also looks like an area of interest. Mendis has taken charge of the team’s spin development, and Shakib’s slow left-arm orthodox bowling gives the coach a proven option in that department. If the local spinners adapt quickly, Pokhara could be difficult to score against at Kirtipur.
The question marks are around role clarity and availability. Several squad members do not yet have publicly confirmed roles, which makes it hard to judge the balance between specialist batters, pacers and spinners. Pokhara also need confirmation that Shakib can play the full tournament. If he is unavailable for part of the season, the side will depend more heavily on Bhurtel and Lakshan.
FAQWhich players should watch?
Kushal Bhurtel is the first name to follow. As captain and marquee player, he carries both the batting responsibility and the leadership burden. A strong start from him would settle the top order and allow the middle order to play with more freedom.
Shakib Al Hasan is the obvious overseas attraction. His left-arm spin and batting experience can influence a match in either department, and his presence should raise the standard of Pokhara’s planning. Fans should watch how Mendis uses him across different phases of the innings.
Dhananjaya Lakshan is another player worth tracking. Pokhara have re-signed the Sri Lankan all-rounder for a second consecutive season, which suggests the franchise values what he brought last time. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball could be especially important if Pokhara need flexibility in their playing XI.
FAQWhat to expect from Pokhara Avengers in Season 3?
Pokhara look better placed than in their first two seasons, but the group stage will still be demanding. Eight teams play a single round-robin league phase, and only four advance to the playoffs. Pokhara must turn individual experience into consistent results across seven league matches.
A realistic target is a playoff push. Bhurtel’s leadership, Shakib’s all-round quality, Lakshan’s continuity and Mendis’s coaching give the Avengers a more settled core than they had in 2024 or 2025. Even so, they will need their local players to take responsibility, particularly in the bowling department.
Squads can change before and during the tournament because of injury, availability or replacement announcements. This article was last updated on October 15, 2026.
This article is independent editorial content. NPL Hub Nepal is not affiliated with the Nepal Premier League or the Cricket Association of Nepal.