Biratnagar Kings have signed West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell for the third edition of the Nepal Premier League. The franchise confirmed the move on social media on October 18, 2026, with the message, "You asked. We delivered. Welcome to the Kingdom, Andre Russell.”

Russell, a two-time T20 World Cup winner with West Indies in 2012 and 2016, joins a side captained by Nepal’s Sandeep Lamichhane. The signing adds one of the most experienced and explosive all-rounders in franchise T20 cricket to the Kings’ squad as they prepare for the tournament that begins on October 26 at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.

Across 611 T20 matches, Russell has scored 9,933 runs, including two centuries and 36 half-centuries, and taken 539 wickets. He ranks among the format’s most experienced players and leading wicket-takers. In 86 T20 internationals for West Indies, he scored 1,122 runs and claimed 61 wickets before retiring from international cricket in July 2025 after a home series against Australia. He has also won the Indian Premier League twice with Kolkata Knight Riders (2014 and 2024), along with titles in the Caribbean Premier League and Bangladesh Premier League.

For Biratnagar Kings, the addition strengthens a squad already built around Lamichhane’s leg-spin and captaincy. The franchise previously announced Sri Lanka’s Charith Asalanka as an overseas signing and retained a core that includes Basir Ahamad, Lokesh Bam, Narayan Joshi, Pratish GC, and Subash Bhandari. In NPL 2025, Biratnagar reached the playoffs for the first time, finishing inside the top two in the league stage before losing in Qualifier 2; Lamichhane was the joint-leading wicket-taker with 17 wickets. Russell’s ability to finish innings at a high strike rate or contribute with the ball in the middle and death overs gives the side greater flexibility in both batting depth and bowling options.

The Nepal Premier League 2026 runs from October 26 to November 21, with all matches at Kirtipur. Eight franchises contest a single round-robin stage before the top four advance to playoffs. Biratnagar opened their campaign on October 27 against Chitwan Rhinos. Russell’s arrival raises the international profile of the league, which has already attracted established overseas players across multiple franchises this season.

The franchise has not released further details on Russell’s expected availability across the full tournament window. The Kings continue final squad preparations ahead of their first match.