Biratnagar Kings retain Dhammika Prasad as head coach for NPL 2026 Biratnagar Kings have retained former Sri Lanka fast bowler Dhammika Prasad as head coach for the 2026 Nepal Premier League, giving him continuity into the competition’s third season.

The franchise confirmed that Prasad will again take charge of coaching and strategic leadership. Multiple Nepali outlets, including Kantipur and Onlinekhabar, reported the decision on 8 October 2026. The move keeps the same coach who led the side through last season’s campaign in place ahead of a tournament that begins on 26 October.

Prasad said he was pleased to return. “I am very happy and excited to be associated with Biratnagar Kings again this season. Last season, when we had to exit from the playoffs, that moment was very painful and disappointing. We had worked very hard, but we could not achieve the expected results. The pain of that is still with us. This experience has made us stronger and more committed this time. This time we will give our 100 percent and fight for the trophy until the last ball,” he said, according to the reports.

In the 2025 season, Biratnagar finished second in the league stage with five wins from seven matches and 10 points, level with Kathmandu Gorkhas but ahead on net run rate. They reached the playoffs and lost Qualifier 2 to eventual champions Lumbini Lions by 40 runs at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on 11 December. Lumbini posted 134 for 8; Biratnagar were bowled out for 94 in 17.5 overs after electing to bowl. Captain Sandeep Lamichhane finished as joint-leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 17 wickets.

Prasad, a right-arm fast-medium bowler, played 25 Tests and 24 ODIs for Sri Lanka between 2006 and 2015, taking 75 Test wickets at an average of 35.97. He appeared in one T20 international. His coaching work has included spells as bowling coach with the Nepal and Oman national teams, assistant and bowling roles with the United States, and franchise positions with Colombo Kings, Kandy Bolts, and Kandy Royals in the Lanka Premier League. He has also coached in the Cayman Islands and the Big Cricket League.

The franchise cited bowling, player development, and team-management experience as the reason for retaining him. Biratnagar have already kept Lamichhane as captain and added Sri Lanka’s Charith Asansol among their overseas players for the new season.

Preparation is under way at the Purvanchal Cricket Academy in Uttar Pradesh, India. Prasad said the camp is progressing well and that floodlit practice matches against players with Ranji Trophy experience are sharpening the group. “Our training is going well in India. The players are getting good training. Playing practice matches with experienced players who have played in the Ranji Trophy is strengthening our preparation. We aim to prepare excellently for the NPL,” he said.

All NPL 2026 matches will be played at Kirtipur. Biratnagar opened their campaign against Chitwan Rhinos on 27 October at 12:30, then faced Karnali Yaks on 29 October and Sudurpaschim Royals, last season’s runners-up, on 31 October. The league stage runs until mid-November, with the final scheduled for 21 November.