KATHMANDU: Kathmandu Gorkhas have retained Karan KC, Aadil Alam, Rashid Khan, Santosh Yadav, Shahab Alam and Bhim Sharki for Season 3 of the Nepal Premier League.
The franchise announced the return of its core squad through a social media post. Kathmandu also confirmed the departure of Tul Bahadur Thapa, Natarajan Shah, Pratik Shrestha, Dipesh Kandel, Uttam Thapa Magar and Aakash Tripathi.
Kathmandu had a strong but incomplete debut campaign in 2024. They finished fifth in the league stage with four wins from seven matches, missing the playoffs by net run rate.
Their first NPL match ended in a five-wicket defeat against Chitwan Rhinos. Kathmandu then recorded their first win by beating Karnali Yaks by three wickets.
The Gorkhas had an uneven middle phase. They suffered a heavy 73-run defeat against Sudurpaschim Royals, beat Lumbini Lions by 18 runs in a low-scoring match, and lost to eventual champions Janakpur Bolts by five wickets.
Kathmandu ended the 2024 league stage strongly with back-to-back wins over Pokhara Avengers and Biratnagar Kings. But that late push was not enough to take them into the playoffs.
Karan was one of Kathmandu's key figures in that first season. He led the side and finished as the franchise’s leading wicket-taker, while Stephen Eskinazi was their leading run-scorer.
The second season brought clear progress. Kathmandu reached the playoffs in 2025, improving on their fifth-place finish from the inaugural edition.
Their campaign, however, ended in the Eliminator against Lumbini Lions, who went on to complete a remarkable run and win the title.
Shahab Alam was one of Kathmandu’s standout performers in 2025. The left-arm spinner took 13 wickets in eight matches, including a best of 6/25, and finished among the leading wicket-takers of the season.
Across the first two league stages, Kathmandu have built one of the stronger records in the NPL. They won nine of their 14 league matches before their 2025 playoff exit.
The challenge for Season 3 is to convert that consistency into a deeper playoff run. Kathmandu have stayed close to the top tier in both seasons, but they are still chasing their first NPL final.
By retaining Karan, Shahab and Bhim, the Gorkhas have kept a senior domestic spine. Aadil, Rashid and Santosh give the squad further continuity before the auction.
Kathmandu will now look to complete their squad around that core as they prepare for another title push in NPL 2026.
