Ahead of the highly anticipated 2026 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL), the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots have officially revealed their complete list of overseas signings, assembling a squad packed with explosive pace, elite spin talent, and decades of top-tier international match experience to compete for the upcoming title.
The five confirmed international players joining the franchise for the 2026 campaign are Pakistan quick Naseem Shah, former Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka, Afghanistan left-arm wrist-spinner Waqar Salamkheil, Sri Lankan star all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, and Australia-based batting all-rounder Nikhil Chaudhary.
Recruitment efforts for this season have centered on building a devastating dual threat with a robust spin bowling unit and consistent, match-winning pace, providing the side with game-changing bowling options to dominate every stage of a T20 innings.
Leading the new-ball attack is Naseem Shah, one of the most exciting fast bowling prospects to emerge from Pakistan in the last decade. Making his international debut as a teenager, Shah has established himself as a reliable wicket-taker across all three formats of the game, bringing raw speed and proven big-match pedigree to the Patriots’ lineup.
Middle-order all-rounder Dasun Shanaka adds more than just on-field skill: the former Sri Lankan national captain brings veteran leadership experience, having steered his country through multiple ICC global tournaments. A reliable finisher with the bat and a useful part-time pace option, Shanaka is a versatile asset that strengthens multiple areas of the squad.
Waqar Salamkheil, an unorthodox left-arm wrist-spinner, joins the Patriots’ spin unit fresh off appearances in top franchise leagues around the world, including previous stints in the CPL, the Indian Premier League, and Major League Cricket in the United States, bringing familiarity with Caribbean conditions and T20 franchise cricket to the side.
Completing the formidable spin department is Wanindu Hasaranga, the Sri Lankan leg-spinning all-rounder who has cemented his reputation as one of the most dangerous bowlers in global T20 cricket. In addition to his wicket-taking threat with the ball, Hasaranga is also a capable lower-order run-scorer, adding extra depth to the Patriots’ batting lineup.
Rounding out the five-person overseas contingent is Nikhil Chaudhary, a batting all-rounder who made history earlier this year as the first India-born male cricketer in 60 years to earn a call-up to Australia’s senior international side. Chaudhary cut his teeth in Australian domestic cricket, representing Tasmania in state competition and the Hobart Hurricanes in Australia’s Big Bash League, developing a consistent all-round game that translates to top-tier T20 competition.
When paired with the Patriots’ already strong core of domestic West Indian talent — led by star all-rounder Jason Holder, top-order batter Johnson Charles, all-rounder Kyle Mayers and opener Andre Fletcher — the new crop of international signings creates a deeply balanced squad with strength across pace bowling, spin bowling, and batting depth heading into the 2026 CPL season.