Kathmandu, December 15

Kathmandu Kings-XI named Sri Lankan all-rounder Farveez Maharoof as skipper of the team for the TVS Everest Premier League, a premier Twenty20 cricket tournament, slated for December 18-20 at the Tribhuvan University Stadium.

Kings-XI’s owner Rohit Gupta informed that Sri Lankan Test player will lead his side in the tournament.

The 33-year-old Maharoof, who made Test and ODI debut in 2004, featured in 22 Test matches until 2011 and played 109 ODIs till 2016. He has also played eight T20I for Sri Lanka.

The participating teams need to have three foreign players in their 15-member squad.

Kings-XI also unveiled two other foreign players — Akshay Fernandez of Sri Lanka and Sagar Kumar of India. Both cricketers play domestic cricket in their respective countries.

Owner Gupta did not disclose the amount to be paid to foreign cricketers. “We have signed the foreign players on Non-discloser Agreement and we cannot unveil the amount,” said Gupta. He said the team’s target would be to win the title of the tournament.

Meanwhile, Maharoof said he was excited to play cricket in Nepal and try his best to lead the team. “It would be wonderful experience and I am excited about it. Similarly, I will try to get as much as information about the team. Besides that, I will try my level best to lead the young team,” said Maharoof.

Kings-XI have already named Sompal Kami as the marquee player and picked up 10 cricketers through auction.

A total of six city-based teams — Kathmandu Kings XI, Lalitpur Patriots, Biratnagar Warriors, Bhairahawa Gladiators, Pokhara Rhinos and Chitwan Tigers — will take part in the event organised by EPL Pvt Ltd under the sponsorship of Jagadamba Motors Pvt Ltd.

The winners will be richer by Rs 2.1 million.