The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has officially announced the launch of a new five-team franchise-based T20 competition, the Afghanistan Premier League (APL), with its inaugural season scheduled for the last quarter of 2026, likely around October, in the UAE.
This marks a revival of the APL brand, which was first introduced in 2018 but lasted only one season amid payment delays and integrity concerns. The rebranded league is being positioned as a more structured and commercially stable tournament, with the ACB confirming that the player draft or auction is expected to take place in June–July 2026.
“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 an official statement.
ACB chairman Mirwais Ashraf, speaking at the launch in Dubai, described the league as a 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,” he said.
The board has partnered with Cricket Venture, a joint venture between Trans Group and ITW Universe, to manage and commercialise the league. Organisers will now move into the next phase, which includes finalising franchise identities, securing commercial partners, and completing player recruitment processes.
Afghanistan will continue to run its established domestic T20 competition, the Shpageeza Cricket League, during the July–August window each year, with the APL expected to sit above it as the country’s flagship franchise tournament.
If successfully executed, the APL could become a crucial platform for Afghan players to gain global exposure while strengthening the nation’s growing reputation in world cricket.
