The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has introduced a new policy to regulate players’ workload, limiting its cricketers to a maximum of three overseas franchise league appearances per year. Senior Afghanistan players, including Rashid Khan, can now play in only three franchise leagues around the world every year.
The decision was taken during the annual general meeting chaired by ACB Chairman Mirwaiz Ashraf at the ACB headquarters in Kabul on Wednesday. Players will also be required to participate in the board’s new five-team franchise-based T20 league, which is scheduled to begin in the UAE around October 2026.
Afghanistan players banned from playing more than 3 international leagues per year
The ACB has introduced a new rule to control the workload of players and protect their fitness and mental health. Afghan cricketers will be allowed to play in the Afghanistan Premier League along with only three other foreign leagues in a calendar year.
“To protect the fitness and mental well-being of players, the Board has approved a new policy with respect to overseas leagues,” the ACB statement said.
“Players will now be allowed to participate in only three other international leagues per year apart from the Afghanistan Premier League (APL). This measure is aimed at managing workload and ensuring peak performance for national duties.”
ACB introduced new clause for coaching staff
The Afghanistan Cricket Board has decided to add a new clause that will require foreign coaches to visit Afghanistan if needed, allowing domestic players to learn directly from experienced international staff and supporting local talent development.
The board leadership was also praised for restarting the Afghanistan Premier League and undertaking major infrastructure projects.
These decisions were taken at a meeting personally attended by ACB Chairman Mirwaiz Ashraf, ACB CEO Naseeb Khan, Board Member and Chancellor of Cardon University Ahmed Khalid Hatim and Board Member and ACCI Chief Khan Jan Alokozay.
Board members Allah Dad Noori, Obaidullah Sadarkhel, Attila Kamgar and Raees Ahmadzai attended the meeting virtually. The new policies may impact the earnings of Afghanistan players, including Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmed, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, AM Ghazanfar and Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
Rashid Khan and other Afghan players active in global leagues
Rashid Khan is one of the most sought-after players in franchise cricket, playing in the leagues of India, UAE, United States, South Africa and England.
Several other Afghanistan players, including Noor Ahmed, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and teenage spinner AM Ghazanfar also participate in several leagues around the world.
Rashid Khan, the leading wicket-taker in T20 cricket, is currently leading MI Cape Town in the SA20. Afghanistan’s next assignment is a three-match T20I series against West Indies in the UAE, after which they will travel to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Different countries follow different rules for foreign leagues. Pakistan allows centrally contracted players to play in only two foreign leagues outside the Pakistan Super League, while India does not allow its contracted male players to compete in any foreign league.
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