Janakpur Bolts have signed England all-rounder Moeen Ali for the third edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), adding a two-time World Cup winner to a squad that already includes Jimmy Neesham and Iftikhar Ahmed. Moeen is the fourth overseas player the franchise has brought in for the season, according to the report this article is based on.

The left-handed batter and off-spinner joins a group the Bolts have been building around captain Harmit Singh. Neesham, the New Zealand all-rounder, and Pakistan batter Iftikhar Ahmed were announced before Moeen.

Moeen was part of the England side that won the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup at home. He was also vice-captain when England won the T20 World Cup in Australia in 2022. He has played for England in all three formats and has captained the side in T20 internationals.

In Test cricket, he is one of the few England players to score more than 3,000 runs and take more than 200 wickets. He retired from international cricket in 2024 but still plays in franchise leagues around the world. In the Indian Premier League, he won titles with Chennai Super Kings in 2021 and 2023.

Moeen said he had seen how passionate and loyal Nepali cricket fans are and wanted to experience that atmosphere himself. "I am ready to give my 100% for the team on the field," he said.

Bolts CEO Niroj Khatiwada called the signing a gift to cricket supporters in Madhesh. He said it reflected the growing global recognition of Nepali cricket and the NPL and added that "the roar of Janakpur will be even louder" this time.

The Bolts' remaining squad details and their NPL 2026 fixtures were not part of the source material. The next confirmation to watch for is an official franchise or NPL announcement of the full squad and match schedule.