Sri Lankan veteran all-rounder Angelo Mathews has signed with Biratnagar Kings for the third edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), with the franchise announcing the signing on Thursday, October 22. The 39-year-old former Sri Lanka captain is a right-handed batter and right-arm medium-pace bowler. His arrival brings a prominent international name and an experienced all-round option into the Kings’ plans for the upcoming edition.
Kings confirm Mathews signing
Biratnagar Kings announced the move through a statement, confirming that Mathews will play for the franchise in the third season of Nepal’s premier league. The announcement makes the experienced Sri Lankan the latest overseas player named for the competition, although the club’s statement, as reported, did not provide further details about his contract or the exact role he will take on.
The signing adds a player with experience as both a batter and a bowler to the Kings’ squad. Mathews bats right-handed and bowls right-arm medium pace, giving the team an option in both disciplines. The announcement establishes his place in Biratnagar’s plans for the season, but does not specify how the franchise intends to use him in its playing combination.
Mathews’ broad skill set is central to his profile as an all-rounder. He can contribute with the bat and offer medium-pace bowling, while his former leadership role with Sri Lanka gives him experience beyond individual performance. The Kings have not announced any additional details about his responsibilities, so his captaincy experience should not be taken as confirmation of a leadership position with the NPL side.
A former captain of Sri Lanka
Mathews captained Sri Lanka in all three formats of international cricket. That record gives the signing added significance for a club bringing in a player who has held leadership responsibility across the game’s different formats. The Kings’ announcement, however, focused on his recruitment and did not say whether he would have a formal leadership role in the team.
He retired from Test cricket in 2025. His move to Biratnagar Kings therefore marks his participation in the NPL following that retirement, while the announcement does not set out further details about his playing schedule or commitments. Mathews remains identified in the signing as a batter and medium-pace bowler, and his all-round skills are the stated basis for his place in the squad.
What the signing means for the third edition
For Biratnagar, securing Mathews gives the franchise a player with a lengthy international career and experience in multiple roles. The signing is one confirmed squad development ahead of the third NPL edition. The club has not, in the announcement, disclosed information about the remainder of its squad or how Mathews’ availability will align with the league schedule.
The move also brings a former Sri Lankan captain into Nepal’s domestic franchise competition. Mathews’ presence will be a notable addition to Biratnagar’s roster, while the practical impact of his signing will depend on the role he is assigned and the team’s plans for the season. Those details were not included in the announcement.
The Kings’ statement confirmed the central point: Mathews is set to represent Biratnagar in the third edition of the Nepal Premier League. With his right-handed batting, right-arm medium pace and experience captaining Sri Lanka across all three formats, he joins the franchise as an established all-rounder. Further information about the club’s squad and Mathews’ specific responsibilities has yet to be provided.
