Farhan returns to Pakistan for national team duty, Kusal Perera joins Janakpur

Pakistani T20 captain Sahibzada Farhan, who had come to Kathmandu to play for Karnali Yaks in the NPL, is returning home after being called up to the national team.

Pakistan has included him in the squad for the one-day series against Sri Lanka. Farhan had arrived in Nepal only two days earlier.

According to Karnali director Grihendra Ghimire, Farhan is likely to return to the NPL after the national team's matches conclude on October 31. He said preparations were under way to bring in another player for the interim period.

Ghimire said the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had demanded an additional sum of around $25,000 for the no-objection certificate. He expressed displeasure that the extra amount was sought after the player had already arrived in Nepal with the certificate.

He said Karnali was willing to pay the amount, but once Farhan was selected for the national team, there was no option but to let him go.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Perera has signed with Janakpur Bolts. Janakpur announced the news via Facebook.

The 36-year-old Perera has scored more than 2,300 runs in 95 T20 internationals. He has played in seven franchise leagues including the IPL, CPL and PSL, and the NPL will be his eighth league.

Alongside Perera, Janakpur has also signed players including England's Moeen Ali.

The third edition of the NPL will run until Mangsir 5 at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. This edition will see the use of DRS for the first time.