KATHMANDU, Oct 13: The Pokhara Premier League (PPL) franchise Chitwan Rhinos has announced the names of couple of local icon players for the inaugural season in Kathmandu on Friday. The PPL organized by Queens Event Management is set to commence on October 26 with final match slated for November 6.

Young players Aakash Thapa and Swapnil Adhikari are set to represent Rhinos in upcoming season. The managing director of the franchise, Mingma Dandu Sherpa, shared about the plethora of talents present in Chitwan that need to be recognized at national level with PPL helping for the cause. “We want to develop the cricket of this region. We are ecstatic to announce the signing of Thapa and Adhikari as our local players for the PPL’s first season,” said Sherpa.

Nepal’s latest T20 cricket extravaganza was recently recognized as an International Cricket Council (ICC)-sanctioned event by the apex governing body of cricket on last Monday. The organizers confirmed receiving the official approval letter from the ICC. The PPL had recently announced a three-year broadcast deal with Himalayan TV. The deal worth Rs 37 million was signed with the television channel starting from the inaugural season of the PPL.

A total of Rs 7.85 million was spent by six franchise teams for acquiring 69 players during the auctions for the PPL on September 30. Chitwan Rhinos, Biratnagar Titans, Dhangadhi Blues, Butwal Blasters, Pokhara Paltan and Kathmandu Royals will participate in the first season of the PPL led by marquee players Paras Khadka, Sandeep Lamichhane, Dipendra Singh Airee, Sompal Kami, Sharad Vesawkar and Gyanendra Malla respectively. 

Other teams are due to announce their respective two local icons and two overseas players for the premier league. The teams will have to play at least one overseas player in the XI whereas there is no mandatory rule to include local icons in the playing XI.

 
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