Kathmandu: Hong Kong’s Babar Hayat, who has been signed by Karnali Yaks, has arrived in Nepal. The 32-year-old cricketer was welcomed at Tribhuvan International Airport on Tuesday by Karnali Yaks’ owner Jhank Datt Khanal, co-owner Grihendra Ghimire, and coach Gyanendra Malla.

Babar Hayat has been a key player for Hong Kong, scoring 1,910 runs in 79 T20I matches with a strike rate of 132.27. He has two centuries and 10 half-centuries to his name, including a memorable 110-run performance against Nepal in 2024.

Karnali Yaks, coached by Gyanendra Malla and led by Sompal Kami, has signed four international players, including Babar Hayat. Last week, they also secured the signing of Shikhar Dhawan, one of the biggest names in world cricket, to play in the Nepal Premier League (NPL).

The team also includes experienced players like West Indies’ Chadwick Walton, Babar Hayat from Hong Kong, and former Oman captain Jisn Maksoud. The Nepali contingent includes national team players like Gulshan Jha, Dev Khanal, and Nandan Yadav. Other players signed include Arjun Gharti and Rit Gautam, along with Bhuvan Karki, Mousal Dhokal, and Bhupen Karki from the ‘B’ and ‘C’ categories. Talent Hunt selections include Bipin Prasad Sharma as the iconic player.

Karnali Yaks has also appointed actress Swastima Khadka as the ‘Face of Karnali Yaks’ and Cisan Baniya as the Youth Ambassador. Hotel Hilton is the hospitality partner for the team. The competition will take place from December 15 to January 6, with Karnali Yaks playing their first match against Janakpur.