Pokhara Rhinos: Are they really the top contenders for TVS EPL 2018?

TVS EPL - Everest Premier League 2018 is promising to be a spectacle – cricketing legends from all around the world will be arriving in Kathmandu in December. As the excitement for third edition of TVS Everest Premier League 2018 builds, Pokhara Rhinos' super signings has propelled them to serious title contenders for EPL. Rhino’s latest addition further strengthens the team with star national players such as Shakti Gauchan, Binod Bhandari, Rajesh Pulami Magar, Sunil Dhamala and more. Dhamala, B Bhandari, Rajesh Pulami, S Khanal, Bhari/B Khatri, Gauchan/D Shah, Mahato, Nandan/Sob Rhinos have made addition to their squad – English all-rounder Paul Coughlin, Sensational South African cricketer Richard Levi and K Coetzer, the captain of Scotland’s national cricket team.

Coughlin, a talented all-rounder, Durham graduate is a right-handed batsman and bowls right-arm medium. Joining the minor counties for Northumberland in 2011, Coughlin made his first-class debut for Durham in 2012. He captained England Lions and Durham at early age. Displaying a steady performance, he ended Durham's first innings of 197 all out unbeaten on 29, the second highest score of the innings. The 26 years old has Strike rate of 138 in batting and 14.5 in bowling and currently plays for Nottinghamshire.

Pokhara Rhinos welcomes Richard Levi to the Himlayan nation in what is going to be the most exciting TVS EPL edition! Richard Levi is a South African cricketer who made his T20i debut against New Zealand in 2012 and currently plays for Western Province, Cape Cobras and Northamptonshire. Levi has played 13 T20 internationals for South Africa and accumulated 236 runs at an average of 21.45 with one hundred and one fifty under his belt. He has the highest score of 117* off 45 balls with 13 sixes, which is a record for the fastest T20i century and a then-record of the highest number of sixes in a T20i innings and for the most runs scored in a T20i tied with Chris Gayle. He accomplished this feat only in his in his second match against New Zealand at Seddon Park in Hamilton in 2012. Levi says, " I've always heard of Nepal as one of the most beautiful places in the world and it's exciting to hear the recent progress of the national team in world cricket. I'm looking forward to being a part of Pokhara Rhinos and hopefully performing well for my side in the coming season of TVS EPL." He further adds, " I'd like to thank the owners of my team and the fans of Nepali Cricket for all the love and support and I am really keen to get out there, meet exciting young talents and together, put up a great show in this year's TVS EPL."

Pokhara Rhinos also clinch Scotland Captain Kyle Coetzer for EPL 2018. Coetzer’s addition to the team gives Pokhara Rhinos a significant advantage to their already stellar team comprising of national and international stars. Being named one of the ten players to watch ahead of 2018 Cricket World Cup Qualifiers by the International Cricket Council (ICC), Coetzer is one of the greatest assets of the Scottish national cricket team.

Pokhara Rhinos also have signed up with Nathan Dodd, a celebrated Australian coach to mentor their players. He will be the team’s Head Coach. So, Pokhara rhinos is rich in spin department, has powerful top order along overseas X-factors to make them the true contenders for third edition of Everest Premier League.

Also read:Kathmandu Kings XI: Star players from the foreign soil