Jimmy Neesham signs with Pokhara Avengers for NPL 2025

New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham is set to represent the Pokhara Avengers in the upcoming Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2025. The franchise made the announcement on Friday morning, confirming Neesham as their fourth overseas signing ahead of the tournament's second edition, scheduled to begin from November 17.

Neesham played a key role in the inaugural NPL season, where he turned out for Janakpur Bolts and helped the team clinch the championship with impactful allround performances.

Earlier this week, Neesham had revealed through a video message that he would not be returning to Janakpur this season. His move to Pokhara now brings one of world cricket's most experienced T20 all-rounders into a new dressing room for the 2025 campaign.

At 35, Neesham remains one of the biggest international names in the league. He becomes the third New Zealander confirmed for NPL 2025, following the signings of Martin Guptill for Biratnagar Kings and Scott Kuggeleijn for Sudurpashchim Royals. While Guptill and Kuggeleijn will continue with their previous franchises, Neesham stands out as the only Kiwi star shifting to a new team this season.

Neesham has represented New Zealand in 12 Tests, 76 ODIs, and 93 T20Is, establishing himself as a versatile contributor in all formats. In T20 Internationals, he has scored more than a thousand runs at a strike rate of nearly 150, while also taking 56 wickets with a career-best of 5/22. He was a part of New Zealand’s squads during the 2019 Cricket World Cup and the 2021 T20 World Cup, both of which saw the team finish as runners-up. Neesham also featured in the 2024 T20 World Cup and made an impressive return to T20Is in March 2024 with a five-wicket haul against Pakistan.

Beyond international cricket, Neesham is one of the most widely travelled franchise players in the world. He has appeared for multiple teams in the Indian Premier League, including Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals. His experience extends across the Big Bash League, Caribbean Premier League, Pakistan Super League, Bangladesh Premier League, SA20, The Hundred and England’s Vitality Blast, where he has represented six different teams. In total, he has played more than 300 T20 matches, scoring 4,496 runs and taking 269 wickets.

The arrival of Neesham adds significant strength to the Pokhara Avengers’ lineup. The franchise has already signed West Indies’ Ramon Reifer, England’s Dan Douthwaite and Adam Rossington, with Nepal opener Kushal Bhurtel serving as their marquee player. Pokhara expects Neesham’s experience, power-hitting and seam bowling to provide a major boost as they push for a strong season in NPL 2025.