Bharatpur, October 23
Chitwan Rhinos are aiming to win their first Nepal Premier League (NPL) title in the tournament’s third edition, having strengthened their squad and appointed former Pakistan fast bowler Sohail Tanvir as head coach.
Owned by Chitwan Medical College, the franchise is one of two NPL teams representing Bagmati Province, alongside Kathmandu Gorkhas. The Rhinos have built their identity around the endangered one-horned rhinoceros found in Chitwan, helping promote the animal through their team branding.
After mixed results in the first two editions, the franchise says it has invested more heavily in player recruitment and preparation this season.
“We have worked much harder than last time, and our target is to win the title,” said Chitwan Rhinos chairman Ayush Neupane. “The competition will also be tougher because other teams have strengthened their squads.”
The Rhinos reached the playoffs in the inaugural edition but were eliminated in the first eliminator. They failed to progress beyond the league stage in the second season. This time, the franchise hopes to turn those experiences into a title-winning campaign.
Most of the Nepali players have completed a month-long closed training camp at Gauritar in Hetauda, while the franchise has also focused on analysing opponents and identifying its own strengths and weaknesses.
Neupane said the team was determined to produce unexpected results on the field and establish a new chapter in the franchise’s history.
Bopara and Raza anchor the batting lineup
England’s veteran batting all-rounder Ravi Bopara will once again be central to Chitwan’s batting plans. He has been retained after scoring 286 runs in the inaugural NPL season and 237 in the second edition.
The 42-year-old has represented England in 13 Tests, 120 One-Day Internationals and 38 T20 Internationals. Across 494 T20 matches, he has scored 9,948 runs and taken 292 wickets, according to the franchise’s figures.
Bopara will be supported by Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza, who brings experience from major franchise competitions, including the Indian Premier League, Pakistan Super League and Caribbean Premier League.
Captain Kushal Malla, young batter Dev Khanal, wicketkeeper-batter Arjun Saud and all-rounder Bibek Yadav are also expected to play important roles.
Khanal recently impressed against Oman in Nepal’s final ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 match, making 57 runs. His form is an encouraging sign for the Rhinos ahead of the tournament.
Saud could partner Khanal at the top of the order, although Raza is another potential option for an opening role. The franchise is also keeping an eye on Malla’s form, as the captain has struggled for consistency in recent months.
The Rhinos have retained seven players, including Malla, Khanal, Kamal Singh Airee, Saud, Rijan Dhakal, Ranjit Kumar and Dipak Bohara.
They have also added players through the auction, including Bibek Kumar Yadav, Mausam Dhakal, Ashok Dhami, Bipin Rawal, Gautam KC and Salahuddin Khan. Some players released earlier were subsequently brought back through the auction.
The franchise is looking to sign two more overseas players to complete its planned six-player international contingent. Bopara, Raza, Pakistan leg-spinner Usama Mir and Canada left-arm fast bowler Kaleem Sana have already been included.
Tanvir takes charge as head coach
Former Pakistan fast bowler Sohail Tanvir has been appointed head coach for the third edition, having previously led the Rhinos’ bowling attack in the tournament’s first two seasons.
Tanvir took 14 wickets in the inaugural edition, finishing among the leading wicket-takers, and claimed eight wickets in the second season.
The franchise believes his familiarity with the players, their strengths and weaknesses, and the opposition will help him develop effective strategies.
“We asked Tanvir to take on the coaching role this season, and he accepted without hesitation,” said chief executive officer Pratap Devkota. “He understands our team’s strengths and weaknesses as well as those of our opponents. We will follow the plans he develops, with the support of the captain and other players.”
Strengthening the bowling attack and fielding will be among Tanvir’s key priorities.
Nepali bowlers Airee, Dhakal and KC will be supported by overseas recruits Mir and Sana. Mir is a right-arm leg-spinner who has represented Pakistan in ODI and T20I cricket, while Sana is a left-arm fast bowler with international experience.
Sana recently took the wickets of Aasif Sheikh and Arjun Kumal in Canada’s match against Nepal in the World Cup League 2 campaign.
Mixed fortunes in the first two editions
Chitwan Rhinos have experienced contrasting campaigns in the first two editions of the NPL.
In the inaugural season, the franchise reached the playoffs and defeated strong opponents, including eventual champions Janakpur Bolts and title contenders Sudurpaschim Royals. However, their campaign ended in the first eliminator against Karnali Yaks.
The second edition proved more difficult. Chitwan won only two of their seven league matches, earning four points and missing out on the playoffs.
They opened with a four-wicket victory over Karnali Yaks and later beat Biratnagar Kings by 48 runs, but lost their other five matches.
The franchise hopes that a stronger squad, a more structured training programme and Tanvir’s tactical guidance will help it make a deeper run this season.
Devkota said the team was targeting a direct place in the final by finishing among the top two in the league standings and avoiding the eliminator.
Chitwan Rhinos’ third-edition schedule
The Rhinos will play seven league matches, beginning against Biratnagar Kings on October 27 at 12:30 pm.
Their remaining fixtures are against Lumbini Lions on October 31 at 12:30 pm, Sudurpaschim Royals on November 2 at 5 pm, Pokhara Avengers on November 6 at 5 pm, Kathmandu Gorkhas on November 9 at 5 pm, Janakpur Bolts on November 13 at 5 pm and Karnali Yaks on November 15 at 12:30 pm.
Their progress to the playoffs will depend on their performance and final position in the league table.
Free bus service for supporters
Chitwan Rhinos will continue providing free bus services for supporters travelling from Chitwan to watch the team’s matches at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.
The franchise plans to arrange up to five buses on match days, departing from Chitwan Medical College, depending on demand. Supporters must have match tickets and wear the team’s jersey to use the service.
Return transport will also be arranged after matches.
The initiative is intended to help fans travel to Kathmandu and support the Rhinos in their bid for the NPL title.
With an experienced overseas core, promising Nepali talent, a familiar coach and stronger preparations, Chitwan Rhinos enter the third edition determined to improve on their previous campaigns and challenge for the championship.
