The Kathmandu Gurkhas announced on Friday that Merwe Gerhard Erasmus, the captain of Namibia’s cricket team, has officially signed a contract to play in the first Nepal Premier League (NPL) T20 competition. The league is set to begin on November 30 in Kathmandu.
Erasmus has played 52 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 65 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) for Namibia, giving him a solid track record in international cricket. Throughout his career, he has scored 1,557 runs and claimed 53 wickets in T20Is, in addition to nearly 2,000 runs and 38 wickets in ODIs. The Gurkhas will benefit much from his experience.
Erasmus helped Namibia advance to the T20 World Cup Super 12 stage in 2021, when he was instrumental in the team’s 8-wicket triumph over Ireland with an undefeated score of 53. He also made a big contribution to Namibia’s victory in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 Tri-Series earlier this year, when they defeated Nepal and the Netherlands three out of four.
Sandesh Katwal, the CEO of Kathmandu Gurkhas, was thrilled about Erasmus’s signing and stated his standing as a recognized leader and one of the best players in Associate cricket. “His addition will significantly improve our batting and bowling abilities, and his leadership will give the team a substantial boost,” Katwal said. “We can’t wait for him to arrive.”
Erasmus expressed his excitement at joining the Gurkhas while playing in the International League T20 (ILT20) in Dubai. Being a part of the Gurkha family makes me feel so proud. Representing such a historic team in a country like Nepal, known for its bravery and tenacity, is an honor,” he said.
He pledged to make the competition unforgettable and stated his willingness to exhibit the brave nature for which the Gurkhas are renowned for. As an experienced international player, his dedication to the team shows the motivation he brings.
After Michael Levitt, the opener for the Netherlands, Erasmus is the second international player to join the Kathmandu Gurkhas. With 135 runs off just 62 balls against Namibia in Kathmandu earlier this year, Levitt is renowned for having set the record for his country’s fastest T20 International century. It took him an incredible 49 balls to reach his century.
With two half-centuries in three T20 matches during the series against Nepal, Levitt also left a strong impression. His performance and record provide the Gurkhas’ batting lineup a significant boost in power.
Owned by Kathmandu Sports Development Venture, the Kathmandu Gurkhas have made Karan KC their star player. Along with Erasmus and Levitt, the Gurkhas recently won a number of other quality players at auction, including Bhim Sharki, Dipesh Kandel, Krishna Karki, Pratik Shrestha, Raju Rijal, Rashid Khan, Shahab Alam, Shankar Rana, Sumit Maharjan, and Vivek KC.
Erasmus and Levitt’s arrival is expected to improve the team’s chances of winning the competition as they begin their NPL preparations. The Kathmandu Gurkhas are expected to have a big effect in the 2017 league thanks to a combination of local talent and foreign expertise.
Both players and fans are getting more and more excited as the NPL draws near, and the Gurkhas are hoping to give it their all on the field. Their title pursuit may depend heavily on the mix of Levitt’s blazing batting and Erasmus’s leadership.
