Biratnagar Kings have signed Sri Lanka international Charith Asalanka as an overseas player for the third season of the Nepal Premier League, the franchise announced on its official social media channels on Thursday, September 17, 2026.

The 29-year-old left-handed middle-order batter, who also bowls right-arm off-spin, joins a Biratnagar side built around Nepal captain Sandeep Lamichhane, who leads the franchise's retained domestic core alongside Basir Ahamad, Lokesh Bam, Narayan Joshi, Pratish GC, and Subash Bhandari.

Asalanka brings significant international pedigree to the Kings. According to ESPNcricinfo's career records, he has scored 2,779 runs in 85 ODIs at an average of over 42, including five centuries, with a career-best 127 against Australia in Colombo. In T20Is, he has 1,456 runs from 76 matches. He has also held prominent leadership roles for Sri Lanka, including captaining the national side, and has played across the Lanka Premier League, Caribbean Premier League, Pakistan Super League, and ILT20.

For Biratnagar, the signing addresses a specific need. The Kings produced their best NPL campaign to date in 2025, finishing inside the top two during the league stage before their title challenge ended with successive playoff losses to Sudurpaschim Royals and eventual champions Lumbini Lions in Qualifier 2. Asalanka's ability to anchor an innings against spin before accelerating, combined with his part-time off-spin option, gives the franchise added flexibility in both batting depth and bowling combinations as it looks to go a step further this season.

Asalanka becomes the latest in a growing list of established international players confirmed for NPL Season 3, which is scheduled to begin in Kathmandu on October 26.