Kathmandu, Aug 9: The Chitwan Rhinos, a franchise of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), has announced the appointments of their new Head Coach, Mentor, and Team Director ahead of the NPL second season.
Head Coach – Kalam Ali
Former Nepal international Kalam Ali takes over as Head Coach for Season 2. With more than a decade of coaching experience across multiple levels including the Nepal National Squad, Nepal-A, Women’s National Team, Bagmati Province, and various domestic franchises, Ali has established himself as one of Nepal’s most respected cricket minds.
Having served as the Bowling Coach for Chitwan Rhinos last season, Ali’s promotion to Head Coach is a testament to his dedication and impact. Known as a soft-spoken yet sharp former fast bowler, he is ready to embrace the added responsibility and challenge of leading the squad.
Mentor – Manish Sakhalkar
Joining as team Mentor is Manish Sakhalkar, a former first-class cricketer who represented Mumbai at the age-group level and Haryana in the prestigious Ranji Trophy. Coming from a golden generation of Mumbai cricketers alongside names such as Paras Mhambrey, Amol Muzumdar, Chandrakant Pandit, and Ajit Agarkar, Sakhalkar brings with him a deep reservoir of cricketing knowledge.
His work in Nepal has been instrumental in developing grassroots talent, helping shape the future players. Sakhalkar has also contributed as a coach and advisor in domestic leagues and cricket associations, making him an invaluable addition to the Rhinos’ backroom staff.
Team Director – Rajan Shah
A civil engineering graduate and one of Nepal cricket’s most sought-after analysts, Rajan Shah steps into the role of Team Director while continuing his duties as Performance Analyst. Known as “the man behind the laptop”, Shah’s sharp strategic mind and data-driven insights have benefited the Nepal Women’s National Team, Nepal-A, and Nepal Men’s U19 sides in recent years.
With over a decade of involvement in Nepal cricket—as a blogger, commentator, journalist, and now administrator—Shah’s dual role will see him direct cricket operations while refining the Rhinos’ tactical approach for the upcoming season.
Leadership Comments
“We are extremely delighted to secure the services of individuals who know Nepal cricket inside out. I am convinced the respective expertise they bring will improve our team tenfold. I can’t wait for Season 2.” – Dr. Aashish Khadka, Chief Operating Officer, Chitwan Rhinos
“Our bowling coach and analyst worked hard last year. It is only fair they were rewarded with the right responsibilities to take this franchise forward. At Chitwan Rhinos, we believe in rewarding hard work. With the addition of our new Mentor, Manish Sakhalkar’s experience, wisdom, and expertise, the support staff has only grown stronger.” – Aayush Neupane, Chairman, Chitwan Rhinos
