The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has officially announced the relaunch of a franchise-based T20 tournament, the Afghanistan Premier League (APL), with the inaugural season of its new edition scheduled for October 2026 in the United Arab Emirates.
The revamped league will feature five city-based franchises and aims to bring together Afghanistan’s top national cricketers, emerging local talent, and a selection of high-profile overseas players. According to the ACB, the competition is designed to strengthen Afghanistan’s domestic cricket structure while giving local players greater exposure on an international stage.
This is not the first time the ACB has attempted a franchise T20 league. The Afghanistan Premier League was originally launched in 2018, with a single season played later that year. That edition attracted several global stars, including Chris Gayle, Brendon McCullum, Shahid Afridi, and other well-known names. Despite the high-profile participation, the tournament was discontinued after just one season due to financial disputes, delayed payments, and integrity-related concerns.
With lessons learned from the past, the ACB believes the new version of the APL will be more structured and sustainable. The board has confirmed that the player draft or auction for the tournament is expected to take place around June or July 2026, giving franchises ample time to prepare their squads.
In an official press release, the ACB said, “The inaugural season will feature five city-based franchises, bringing together Afghanistan’s leading national players alongside prominent overseas professionals and emerging local talent.”
ACB Chairman Mirwais Ashraf, speaking at the launch event held in Dubai on Saturday, described the league as a major milestone for Afghan cricket.
“The Afghanistan Premier League represents a meaningful step forward in our cricketing journey. It creates new opportunities for our players, inspires the next generation, and allows Afghanistan cricket to be showcased on a global platform,” Ashraf said. “We see the APL as an important contributor to the growth and unity of the game, both domestically and internationally.”
To ensure professional management and commercial stability, the ACB has partnered with Cricket Venture, a joint venture between Trans Group and ITW Universe, to oversee the league’s operations. The partnership is expected to help with sponsorships, broadcasting, franchise development, and overall tournament execution.
Following the official launch, organizers will move into the next phase of planning, which includes finalizing franchise names and identities, securing commercial and broadcast partners, and completing logistical preparations ahead of the draft process.
Despite the introduction of the APL, Afghanistan will continue to run its existing domestic T20 competition, the Shpageeza Cricket League, which is held annually in the July–August window and also features five domestic teams. The Shpageeza League remains a key platform for identifying and developing local talent.
If successfully executed, the new Afghanistan Premier League could play a significant role in elevating Afghan cricket’s global profile and providing its players with consistent high-level competition alongside international stars.
