Team History and Background
The Karnali Yaks were formed before the first NPL season in 2024. Their first season focused on teamwork. Young players gained experience, and the team supported cricket development in remote areas. In 2025, they kept key players and added new ones to strengthen their squad.
Key Players to Watch
These players will be crucial to the Yaks' success in the 2025 season:
Sompal Kami
Captain • Bowling All-rounder
Experienced Nepali international with leadership qualities. His pace bowling and lower-order hitting provide balance to the team.
Max O'Dowd
Batsman
Dutch international opener known for his aggressive batting style. Provides solid starts at the top of the order.
Najibullah Zadran
Batsman
Explosive Afghan middle-order batsman with international experience. Known for his power-hitting in crucial situations.
Karnali Yaks Full Squad for 2025
The squad includes batsmen, bowlers, all-rounders, and wicket-keepers. They also added international players to support Nepali talent.
| Player Name | Role | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| Sompal Kami (c) | Bowling All-rounder | Nepal |
| Gulshan Jha | All-rounder | Nepal |
| Nandan Yadav | All-rounder | Nepal |
| Bipin Sharma | All-rounder | Nepal |
| Dipendra Rawat | All-rounder | Nepal |
| Unish Bikram Thakuri | Bowler | Nepal |
| Arjun Gharti | Wicket-keeper | Nepal |
| Deepak Dumre | Wicket-keeper | Nepal |
| Pawan Sarraf | All-rounder | Nepal |
| Imran Sheikh | Batter | Nepal |
| Unish Bikram Singh | Bowler | Nepal |
| Max O'Dowd | Opening Batter | Netherlands |
| Priyank Panchal | Batter | India |
| Jaykishan Kolsawala | Batter | India |
| Mark Watt | Bowler | Scotland |
| Najibullah Zadran | Middle-order Batter | Afghanistan |
| William Bosisto | All-rounder | Australia |
| Hussain Talat | All-rounder | Pakistan |
| Zeeshan Maqsood | All-rounder | Oman |
Coaching Staff
Former Nepal international Gyanendra Malla is the head coach. He focuses on improving skills and team planning. The staff also includes batting, bowling, and fitness coaches who work together to prepare the team for the challenges of the NPL 2025 season.
Recent Team Updates
As of November 14, 2025, the Yaks have signed Najibullah Zadran and Priyank Panchal. They retained seven players in July and played a practice match against Kathmandu Gorkhas. Their next match is against Chitwan Rhinos on November 18.
Upcoming Strategies
The team plans to use spin bowlers on slow pitches and rotate players strategically throughout the tournament. They are also working hard on fielding to avoid mistakes and create pressure on opposition batsmen.
Frequently Asked Questions
They represent Karnali Province and support cricket growth in remote areas of western Nepal.
The captain is Sompal Kami, an experienced Nepali international all-rounder.
Key international players include Max O'Dowd (Netherlands), Najibullah Zadran (Afghanistan), Mark Watt (Scotland), and Priyank Panchal (India).
The team is preparing through intensive training, practice matches, and strategic new signings to strengthen the squad.
Fans hope they reach the playoffs and perform well with their balanced squad of local and international talent.