Pokhara Rhinos completed the mandatory quota of international stars for the Everest Premier League (EPL) Twenty20 cricket tournament by singing the South African international Richard Levi on Sunday.

As per the EPL regulations each of the six franchises require to include three international recruits in their playing squad for the tournament that kicks off at the Tribhuvan University Stadium on December 8. Probably the biggest international star so far to be associated with the EPL this season, Levi made his T20 international debut against New Zealand in 2012. He currently represents Western Province, Cape Cobras and Northamptonshire. Levi has represented South Africa in 13 T20 internationals with the top score of unbeaten 117, which he struck against New Zealand at Seddon Park in Hamilton in 2012.

The announcement of Levi’s signing comes only two days after Rhinos also hired Englishman Paul Coughlin. Coughlin currently plays for English county Nottinghamshire and will join local stars  Shakti Gauchan, Binod Bhandari, Rajesh Pulami Magar and Sunil Dhamala. Rhinos’ first of the three international recruits was Scotland skipper Kyle Coetzer. The veteran opener is the most successful cricketer of Scotland and has a peculiar record of becoming the first batsman from Associate nations with highest individual score. Coetzer slammed 156 runs against Bangladesh during the 2015 50-over World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Coetzer has played 50 One Day Internationals, 45 Twenty20 Internationals, 94 First Class matches and 157 List A Games.

“Rhinos is honoured to have a prolific player like Mr Levi in our squad. His level of experience and unmatched talent is going to be highly beneficial to the team. With the superior T20 track record Mr Levi possesses, I am sure we are going to be witnessing a cricket legend in the ground at Kirtipur,” team owner Kohinoor Agarwal said in a statement on Sunday.

“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 Rhinos and hopefully performing well for my side in the coming season... 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,”  Levi said in a statement.

To add to its international star powers, Rhinos also announced last Sunday the hiring of Australian Nathan Dodd as its head coach. Dodd is currently a Consultant Development Coach for the New South Wales Blues and the senior assistant coach of Australian cricket team for players with an intellectual disability. Biratnagar Warriors, Lalitpur Patriots, Bhairahawa Gladiators, Chitwan Tigers and Kathmandu Kings are the others teams in the tournament.