Moeen Ali, Neesham, Iftikhar and Harmeet Singh: Janakpur Bolts' overseas line-up for NPL 2026

Janakpur Bolts have finished building the overseas core of their squad for the third Nepal Premier League. The 2024 champions, who ended last season bottom of the table with one win from seven matches, have signed four overseas players: Harmeet Singh, Jimmy Neesham, Iftikhar Ahmed and Moeen Ali.

The first to arrive was Harmeet Singh, announced on the club's social media in early August. The left-arm spinner and lower-order batter has played international cricket for the United States after starting his career in India, where he also played at an Under-19 World Cup. He knows the league well, having played the previous two editions for Sudurpaschim Royals, the side that reached both finals. Janakpur have named him captain for Season 3.

"The wait is over, Harmeet Singh has arrived here to brighten Janakpur," the club wrote when announcing the signing.

On 25 August the Bolts confirmed that Jimmy Neesham would return. The 35-year-old New Zealand all-rounder was central to Janakpur's title in the first season, scoring 247 runs in nine matches at a strike rate above 196 and taking seven wickets. He won the award for the best strike rate of the tournament.

Neesham could not stay for Season 2 because Janakpur had no overseas slot for him, so he played four matches for Pokhara Avengers instead, scoring 99 runs and taking five wickets. He returns as a Test-category overseas player. Chief executive Niroj Khatiwada said Neesham "has earned a special place not only on the field but also in the hearts of our supporters", calling him the hero of the championship season coming home.

In late September the Bolts added Iftikhar Ahmed. The 36-year-old Pakistan all-rounder bats right-handed and bowls off-spin, and he brings a long T20 record: 998 runs in 66 T20 internationals and more than 6,000 runs with 97 wickets in over 300 T20 matches overall, with spells in the PSL, LPL, BPL and CPL. Nepali fans will remember him for the century he scored against Nepal at the 2023 Asia Cup.

The biggest name came in early October. Moeen Ali, the former England all-rounder, became Janakpur's fourth overseas signing. A left-handed batter and off-spinner, he won the 2019 ODI World Cup with England, was vice-captain when they won the 2022 T20 World Cup, and has captained England in T20 internationals. He also won two IPL titles with Chennai Super Kings. He retired from international cricket in 2024 but still plays franchise cricket around the world.

Moeen said he had long admired the passion of Nepali fans and was looking forward to experiencing it, promising to "give my 100% for the team on the field". Khatiwada called the signing a gift to cricket fans in Madhesh and said: "This time, Janakpur's roar will be even louder."

All four bring experience of big tournaments, and three of them can bowl useful spin on Kirtipur pitches that have often helped slower bowlers. Under head coach Shivnarine Chanderpaul, the Bolts will hope the new group turns last season's disappointment around quickly. Their campaign starts on 27 October against Karnali Yaks.