Yuvraj and Pawan to add spin depth for Sompal Kami’s Yaks

By Cricketing Country | Posted Posted Aug 11, 2025

Karnali Yaks were seen as favourites in the first season of the Nepal Premier League. They had a balanced side, which also included the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, who brought long international experience. The Yaks made it to the second qualifiers.

Their retention list was led by marquee Sompal Kami along with Bipin Sharma, Gulshan Jha, Unish Bikram Thakuri, Arjun Gharti, Dipendra Rawat and Nandan Yadav.

The major concern for the Yaks before the auction was to get top-order batters. They managed two in Deepak Dumre and Imran Sheikh, both at their base price of NPR 2 lakh.

Deepak is yet to make a mark in T20 cricket, while Imran has enjoyed a decent T20 domestic season in 2025 with 265 runs in 13 innings, including two fifties in the Koshi Premier League and Jeetpursimara Cup. His medium-pace bowling has also produced 11 wickets from 10 innings.

The standout picks for the Yaks were Pawan Sarraf and Yuvraj Khatri. Pawan was picked for NPR 15 lakh while Yuvraj went for NPR 10 lakh, both at the maximum price for their category.

Pawan strengthens the all-round department, while Yuvraj adds bite to the spin attack on the turning wickets of TU Cricket Ground, alongside young left-arm spinner Bipin Sharma. Yuvraj has been looked at as a deputy to Sandeep Lamichhane in the national team and is a regular in senior team camps.

The Yaks major strength lies in their all-round options — bowlers who can operate at any phase and contribute with the bat in the middle and lower order. However, they still lack an experienced spinner and a top-order batter who is a specialist in the format. Head coach Gyanendra Malla may address this through overseas signings.

Karnali Yaks squad: Sompal Kami, Bipin Sharma, Gulshan Jha, Unish Bikram Thakuri, Arjun Gharti, Dipendra Rawat, Nandan Yadav, Imran Sheikh, Pawan Sarraf, Yuvraj Khatri, Deepak Dumre.