Misbah-ul-Haq takes over as Sudurpaschim Royals head coach for NPL season three

Misbah-ul-Haq has been appointed head coach of the Nepal Premier League franchise Sudurpaschim Royals ahead of the league’s third season, News18 reports.

The former Pakistan captain replaces Jagat Tamata, who guided the Royals through the first two NPL seasons. Misbah’s move comes more than a month after he resigned from Pakistan’s selection committee, after the PCB made as many as seven changes to the men’s Test squad midway through the England tour. He also quit his role as batting consultant at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.

“I am very excited to be joining the Sudurpaschim Royals as the head coach for the upcoming season. I have heard a lot about the passion for cricket in Nepal. I am really looking forward to being part of that atmosphere and working with the talented group of players,” Misbah said.

The Royals finished top of the NPL standings in each of the first two editions but reached the final on both occasions only to fall short of the title. Misbah will be tasked with taking them one step further when the third edition runs from October 26 to November 21.

Earlier in 2026, Misbah served as batting coach for Peshawar Zalmi as they won the Pakistan Super League’s 11th edition, ending a nine-year wait for the trophy.