Sudurpaschim Royals have released a special welcome message from their newly appointed head coach, marking a significant change in the franchise’s leadership as Nepal Premier League (NPL) Season 3 approaches.

Misbah is widely regarded as one of Pakistan’s most influential modern cricketers. He represented his country in 75 Tests, 162 ODIs, and 39 T20Is, scoring more than 11,000 international runs. As Test captain, he led Pakistan in 56 matches and guided the team to the top of the ICC Test rankings for the first time in 2016. After retiring, he served as Pakistan’s head coach and chief selector between 2019 and 2021. He has also held coaching roles with Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League and Muzaffarabad Tigers in the Kashmir Premier League.

Sudurpaschim Royals have been the most consistent team in the short history of the NPL. They finished atop the league table in both the 2024 and 2025 seasons but lost the final on both occasions—first to Janakpur Bolts and then to Lumbini Lions.

The franchise has retained a strong domestic core, including captain Dipendra Singh Airee, Binod Bhandari, Aarif Sheikh, Ishan Pandey, and Abinash Bohara. Overseas players such as Scott Kuggeleijn and Saif Zaib are also expected to feature again.

With NPL Season 3 scheduled to begin later this month (around October 26), the new coaching setup will have limited time to prepare. The appointment of a high-profile international coach is viewed as the Royals’ clearest signal yet that they are determined to convert their regular final appearances into a championship.

The welcome reel serves as one of the first direct messages from Misbah to the Royals’ passionate fan base. As the season opener nears, attention will turn to whether the change in leadership can deliver the title that has so far eluded the side.