Lahore (Sports Desk): Former Pakistan fast-bowling great Shoaib Akhtar has arrived in Kathmandu to cover the third edition of the Nepal Premier League, where cricket fans gave him a warm welcome at the stadium.
Known as the “Rawalpindi Express” for his blistering pace, Shoaib Akhtar expressed delight at the enthusiasm of Nepali fans. In a post on social media platform X, he said the warmth of the crowd in Kathmandu was extraordinary and that he was proud to witness the growth of Nepali cricket up close.
Akhtar is attending the tournament as a special guest of Himalaya Sports, its official broadcaster. He will provide analysis during pre-match and post-match programmes and share experiences from his international cricket career with fans.
His visit also includes fan meet-and-greet sessions and various cricket-related activities.
The Nepal Premier League 2026 began on October 26 and will continue until November 21. Eight teams will compete in a total of 32 matches, with prominent international players such as Moeen Ali, Andre Russell and Shakib Al Hasan also taking part.
During his international career representing Pakistan, Shoaib Akhtar took 444 wickets. His arrival has further increased interest in the Nepal Premier League.