Subash Khakurel (born 22 June 1987) is a Nepalese professional cricketer. He is a right-handed opening batsman and a wicket-keeper. He made his debut for Nepal against Hong Kong in December 2011. Janakpur had retained 7 players, including Subash Khakurel, ahead of NPL 2025; the Bolts are the defending champions after winning the inaugural Nepal Premier League title in 2024.
Khakurel has a history of big-match performances for Nepal: he scored a half century against Afghanistan in the 2014 ICC World Twenty20 — cited as the first T20I half century by a Nepalese batsman — and earlier hammered 115 against the USA in the 2012 ICC World Cricket League Division Four. His career statistics show 8 T20Is with 112 runs and 19 T20s with 362 runs (Wikipedia career table). With experience in international T20s and a long association with Nepalese domestic sides, Khakurel returns to a Janakpur side that retained its core after clinching the 2024 NPL title. His retention by the Bolts links an experienced top-order option and keeper depth to a squad that combined domestic talent with high-impact performers in Season 1.
Discussion:
- How important will Khakurel’s big-match experience (including his World T20 fifty) be for Janakpur Bolts’ title defence?
- Given his recorded T20I and T20 numbers, should Khakurel be used primarily as an opening bat, the wicket-keeper, or rotated to maximise team balance?
- Can Khakurel’s 2012–2014 form (including his century vs USA and tournament-leading contributions) translate into consistent NPL performances now?
- With Janakpur retaining seven players, how should the Bolts blend Khakurel’s experience with their foreign signings and younger domestic players?
Keep the discussion factual, respectful, and cricket-focused.
Sources: Subash Khakurel profile and career statistics (Wikipedia); Janakpur Bolts squad & retention for NPL 2025 (nepalpremierleague.com); 2024 Nepal Premier League season summary (Wikipedia).