Team Abu Dhabi hope to scale the heights with Khadka

Former Nepal captain Paras Khadka has been snapped up by Team Abu Dhabi, the new team in the Abu Dhabi T10 League, it was confirmed on Saturday.

The 32-year-old allrounder, who relinquished the captaincy on the day of Nepal's readmission to cricket earlier this month, has been picked as the team's International Community Promoter player.

Khadka becomes the second player from the mountainous region, known as the 'Land of the Buddha,' to join the first and only 10-over format cricket league in the world.

Exciting young leg spinner Sandeep Lamicchane, who was most recently picked in The Hundred draft by Oval Invincibles, became the first Nepal player to be picked in the Abu Dhabi T10 after he was selected by the Karnataka Tuskers.

Khadka, who guided Nepal to their first ever ODI series win against the UAE in January earlier this year, joins the team coached by England's World Cup-winning coach Trevor Bayliss.

"It is an honour to be joining Team Abu Dhabi and I can't wait to be involved in this incredibly exciting tournament," Khadka said on Saturday.

"I know the matches are going to be intense, but I love playing against the world's best. I'm hoping to see the Nepalese flag flying high in the stands of Zayed Cricket Stadium when I play next month," added Khadka, who became the first Nepali player to score a century in both ODI and T20 formats.

"Paras is an impressive player who excels in short-forms of the game," said Bayliss.

"Both his batting and bowling prowess make him a threat to any team, and he adds another exciting dimension to the balance of Team Abu Dhabi. I'm sure that Nepalese fans are going to love the opportunity to see him perform in Abu Dhabi this November," added the Australian, who stepped down from the England job.

The third season of the League takes place from November 15 to 24.

Team Abu Dhabi are in Group B along with another new entrants Lahore Qalandars, Maratha Arabians and Northern Warriors.

james@khaleejtimes.com