NPL-3: Pokhara signs Karunaratne, Biratnagar Kings gets new partner

Pokhara Avengers have signed Sri Lankan pace-bowling all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne for the third edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL). The 30-year-old Karunaratne is the third foreign player brought in by Pokhara.

He has played 1 Test, 26 ODIs and 46 international T20Is for Sri Lanka. Across all forms of T20 cricket, he has taken 101 wickets in 150 matches. He also took part in the recently concluded 20th Asian Games in Japan.

Pokhara had already signed Shakib Al Hasan and Dhananjaya Lakshan as foreign players, along with Ajantha Mendis as head coach. Along with Karunaratne, Akash Chand and Dhananjaya Lakshan will support the team's medium pace bowling.

Meanwhile, Biratnagar Kings have signed an official home partnership agreement with Bagmati Plastic. At an event held in Biratnagar on Sunday, both sides agreed to collaborate throughout the third edition. Under the agreement, Bagmati's logo will appear on the players' trousers.

The company, which was with Kings in the first edition, was with a different team in the second edition. According to the company's chief executive officer, Amit Rathi, the agreement was reached this time after several days of continuous discussions. The Kings squad is currently practising in India.