The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has confirmed it is on track to revive the Afghanistan Premier League (APL), with five parties expressing interest in the two remaining franchise slots ahead of a player draft scheduled for the last week of October 2026 and a tournament launch on 27 December 2026. Among the interested parties, a few are from India, signalling growing commercial appetite for the league despite its turbulent history.

A League Revived After Years on Ice

The APL made its debut in 2018, featuring five franchises — Balkh Legends, Kabul Zwanan, Kandahar Knights, Nangarhar Leopards, and Paktia Panthers — with Balkh Legends claiming the inaugural title. The second edition never materialised after the ACB withdrew its sanction, leaving the league dormant for years. The current revival effort marks the most concrete attempt yet to put the competition back on the cricket calendar.

The ACB has reportedly zeroed in on three franchise owners and is working to confirm the remaining two. The tournament is planned to be held in the UAE, with the board leaving open the possibility of shifting locations in future editions.

ACB Chief Sets Out Selection Criteria

ACB Chief Executive Naseeb Khan said the board is taking a deliberate approach to finalising franchise partners. “The Afghanistan Cricket Board remains fully committed to delivering the APL as planned. As everyone is aware, the league is being revived after a considerable period, and we have therefore taken a careful and strategic approach to selecting our commercial partner and franchisees,” Khan said.

He stressed that speed of selection is secondary to quality of partners. “Our priority is not simply to fill the remaining positions quickly, but to ensure that we select credible, financially capable and experienced partners who can contribute to the sustainable growth of the APL,” he added. Around 1,500 players have reportedly registered for the draft, including several top international cricketers. A dedicated screening committee is assessing registrations, and a pool of Afghan coaches has been assigned ahead of the draft.

England Players in Focus Amid Diplomatic Tensions

One of the more politically sensitive dimensions of the APL’s revival is the potential participation of England players. England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has not sanctioned bilateral cricket with Afghanistan, citing the Taliban government’s treatment of women. However, according to earlier reports, the ECB is considering granting No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) to its players to participate in franchise leagues, which would include the APL.

Naseeb Khan expressed optimism about the relationship with the ECB. “ACB highly values its relationship with all our fellow cricket boards, including the England and Wales Cricket Board, and we remain committed to maintaining a positive, respectful and cooperative relationship with them,” he said. He framed franchise league participation as a separate track from bilateral diplomacy, adding that the ACB has consistently supported Afghan players’ participation in English cricket and expects the same cooperation in return.

What the Draft and Tournament Structure Look Like

The player draft is confirmed for the last week of October 2026, with team captains and remaining coaching staff to be selected based on franchise-specific requirements. The APL will feature five teams once all franchise agreements are signed. The league’s commercial partner is also reportedly working in tandem with the ACB to accelerate the finalisation process.

This comes amid a broader global expansion of franchise T20 cricket, with leagues in the UAE, South Africa, and the Caribbean all competing for investor and player attention. The APL’s ability to attract Indian franchise interest is notable, given that Indian investors have increasingly become anchor stakeholders in several international cricket leagues.

What to Watch

The confirmation of the final two franchise owners and the outcome of the October draft will be the first real tests of whether the ACB’s optimism is matched by commercial reality. A failure to fill all five slots by the draft date would raise questions about the league’s December timeline. If successful, the APL could become a consistent revenue stream for Afghan cricket and a new platform for international players outside the traditional bilateral structure.