The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Sunday, December 21, announced the launch of a new franchise T20 tournament, the Afghanistan Premier League. Notably, the upcoming league will feature five city-based teams, bringing together top Afghanistan players along with overseas cricketers and emerging local talent.
The cricket board had annopinced a T20 league back in 2018, but it lasted only one season. That edition attracted several big international stars, including Chris Gayle, Brendon McCullum, and Shahid Afridi. Payment problems and questions over the league’s management and credibility led the board to discontinue.
Afghanistan Cricket Board Announces Launch of New Franchise T20 Tournament
The Afghanistan Cricket Board is preparing to relaunch its franchise-based T20 league with a new start. The first season is expected to take place in October 2026, with the UAE likely to host the tournament.
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The league is also planning to hold its player draft around June or July 2026. This time, the ACB aims to build the competition on a stronger base by combining Afghanistan’s top national players with overseas stars and young local talent.
“The inaugural season will feature five city-based franchises, bringing together Afghanistan’s leading national players alongside prominent overseas professionals and emerging local talent,” the ACB said in a press release.
The league was last played in October 2018, with matches played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Balkh Legends emerged as champions after beating Kabul Zwanan by four wickets in the final. Star spinner Rashid Khan finished as the Player of the Tournament.
Meaningful Step Forward in Our Cricketing Journey – ACB Chairman Mirwais Ashraf
ACB chairman Mirwais Ashraf said that the Afghanistan Premier League would strengthen the country’s cricket future. He stated that the league will give Afghan players more opportunities to grow, inspire young cricketers, and help Afghanistan showcase its talent to a global audience.
“The Afghanistan Premier League represents a meaningful step forward in our cricketing journey,” Mirwais Ashraf said at the launch in Dubai on Saturday.
“It creates new opportunities for our players, inspires the next generation, and allows Afghanistan cricket to be showcased on a global platform. We see the APL as an important contributor to the growth and unity of the game, both domestically and internationally.”
Organisers Will Move Into the Next Phase – ACB
The Afghanistan Cricket Board has teamed up with Cricket Venture to manage and develop the new Afghanistan Premier League. With the partnership in place, the focus will move to setting up franchise identities, securing sponsors, and planning the player draft or auction.
“Following the launch, organisers will move into the next phase, which includes finalising franchise identities, confirming commercial partners, and progressing the player auction or draft process,” the release said.
Alongside this new league, Afghanistan will continue to run its domestic T20 competition, the Shpageeza Cricket League, which takes place every year in the July-August window with five local teams.
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