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 Afghanistan’s top players along with foreign cricketers and emerging local talents.
The cricket board had announced a T20 league in 2018, but it only lasted for one season. That edition attracted many big international stars including Chris Gayle, Brendon McCullum and Shahid Afridi. Payment problems and questions over the management and credibility of the league led the board to close it down.
Afghanistan Cricket Board announces launch of new franchise T20 tournament
The Afghanistan Cricket Board is preparing to restart its franchise-based T20 league. The first season is expected to take place in October 2026, with the UAE likely to host the tournament.
The league is also planning to conduct its player draft around June or July 2026. This time, the ACB aims to build the competition on a stronger basis by combining Afghanistan’s top national players with foreign stars and young local talent.
“The inaugural season will feature five city-based franchises, bringing together Afghanistan’s leading national players as well as leading foreign 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 by defeating Kabul Zwanan by four wickets in the final. Star spinner Rashid Khan became the player of the tournament.
Meaningful step in our cricket journey – ACB President Mirwaiz Ashraf
ACB President Mirwaiz Ashraf said that the Afghanistan Premier League will strengthen the cricket future of the country. He said the league will provide more opportunities for Afghan players to progress, inspire young cricketers and help Afghanistan showcase their talent to a global audience.
“The Afghanistan Premier League is a meaningful step in our cricket journey,” Mirwaiz 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 the global stage. We see the APL as a vital contributor to the growth and unity of the game domestically and internationally.”
Organizers will proceed to the next phase – ACB
The Afghanistan Cricket Board has teamed up with Cricket Ventures to manage and develop the new Afghanistan Premier League. With the partnership, the focus will be on establishing the franchise identity, securing sponsors and planning for player drafts or auctions.
“After the launch, the organizers will move on to the next phase, which includes finalizing the franchise identity, confirming commercial partners and moving forward with the player auction or draft process,” the release said.
As well as this new league, Afghanistan will also continue to run its own domestic T20 competition, the Shpageeza Cricket League, which takes place in July–August each year with five local teams.
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