Airee signs with Islamabad United for PSL
Airee was picked up for PKR 6 million (approximately Rs 31 lakh 10 thousand) in the second round of the auction after going unsold in the initial phase.
KATHMANDU: Nepal national all-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee has been signed by Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Islamabad United in the latest player auction.
Airee was picked up for PKR 6 million (approximately Rs 31 lakh 10 thousand) in the second round of the auction after going unsold in the initial phase.
This marks the first time Airee will feature in a franchise league organized by a full member nation of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
He becomes only the second Nepali cricketer to earn a contract in such a league, following leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane, who has previously played in the IPL and several top global T20 competitions.
Currently in Mumbai with the Nepal national team for the ongoing T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, Airee delivered an impressive performance in Nepal’s opening match against England.
He scored a team-high 44 runs and claimed two wickets. During the same match, he also completed 2,000 runs in T20 Internationals.
In 91 T20I appearances, Airee has scored over 2,000 runs and taken 60 wickets. He is currently ranked sixth in the ICC Men’s T20I all-rounder rankings.
Airee made global headlines during the 2023 Asian Games when he smashed the fastest T20I half-century, reaching the milestone in just nine balls against Mongolia.
In the Nepal Premier League (NPL), Airee led Sudurpaschim Royals to back-to-back finals as captain.
A total of nine Nepali players, including Airee, had registered for the PSL auction. However, none of the others were sold.
Arjun Saud and Dev Khanal had set a base price of PKR 11 million, while Bipin Sharma, Aarif Sheikh, Aasif Sheikh, Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami, and Sher Malla had listed a base price of PKR 6 million each.
