Former Proteas batsman Richard Levi will play for the Pokhara Rhinos in the Everest Premier League – Nepal’s premier Twenty20 tournament.

The tournament will also feature Scotland’s Kyle Coetzer, Ireland’s Paul Stirling and the Netherland’s Ryan ten Doeschate.

The Biratnagar Warriors are the defending champions. The tournament, which will run from 8 to 22 December 2018, is in its third edition. The Bhairahawa Gladiators, Chitwan Tigers, Kathmandu Kings and Lalitpur Patriots are the other teams.

Levi was going to make a return to club cricket last month, but his participation was ultimately denied.

Levi was scheduled to play for Claremont Cricket Club against Victoria Cricket Club in the Western Province Cricket Association premier league. He would have been in the same XI as Kent fast bowler David Griffiths.

According to Club Cricket SA, though, Levi’s status as a Kolpak cricketer prevented the appearance.

WPCA bylaws state: ‘The number of overseas or foreign players participating in any first, second or reserve division match will be restricted to a maximum of one per team.

‘Any player who plays as a local player in another country [Kolpak player] will be regarded as a foreign player.’

The big-hitting Levi played 13 T20Is six years ago and struck a record 117 not out from just 51 balls against New Zealand at Seddon Park in Hamilton. He later forged a successful career with Northamptonshire in English county cricket.

Photo: Gallo