Janakpur Bolts has announced the signing of former England all-rounder Moeen Ali for the upcoming third season of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), the team confirmed on October 2, 2026.
The 39-year-old, who retired from international cricket in 2024, brings a wealth of experience from both international and major franchise leagues to the team representing Madhesh Province. Janakpur Bolts made the announcement via its social media channels, expressing confidence that Ali’s arrival will significantly bolster their squad with his all-round capabilities, including his batting and bowling prowess.
Moeen Ali has had a distinguished career, representing England in 68 Test matches, 138 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and 92 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). Across these formats, he accumulated a total of 6,678 runs and took 366 wickets. In Test cricket, he scored 3,094 runs and claimed 204 wickets. In ODIs, he made 2,355 runs and took 111 wickets, while in T20Is, he scored 1,229 runs and secured 51 wickets. He was a crucial member of the England squads that lifted the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2019 and the ICC T20 World Cup in 2022, playing a significant role in both triumphs.
Beyond international cricket, Ali is a veteran of various high-profile T20 leagues globally. He has played in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for teams like Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Kolkata Knight Riders. Notably, he was part of the Chennai Super Kings team that secured IPL titles in both 2021 and 2023, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure in major tournaments. His extensive franchise experience also extends to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
His signing is expected to not only strengthen Janakpur Bolts, the team representing Madhesh Province, but also significantly elevate the profile and competitiveness of the Nepal Premier League. The NPL, Nepal’s major franchise cricket league, is organized by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN). The league held its inaugural season in 2023, followed by its second edition in 2024, making the upcoming tournament its third.
While the acquisition of such a prominent international player has generated considerable excitement among Nepali cricket fans, the specific dates and full schedule for the third NPL season are yet to be officially announced by the organizers. Details regarding other major player signings for the league’s upcoming edition also remain undisclosed.
