Asian Legends League Season 2 set for Lusaka from July 30; Rayudu, Dilshan, Yusuf headline
Synopsis
Geopolitical tensions have pushed the Asian Legends League out of Asia for the first time — landing it in Lusaka, Zambia, for a ten-day T20 showdown from 30 July. With Rayudu, Dilshan, Shakib, and Yusuf Pathan on the roster and Sony Sports locked in for three seasons, the 'Retired Players' Asia Cup' is making a serious play for mainstream cricket audiences.
Key Takeaways
Asian Legends League Season 2 runs from 30 July to 10 August 2026 in Lusaka, Zambia — the first time the tournament is held outside Asia.
Six country-based franchises compete: Indian Royals, Sri Lankan Lions, Bangladesh Tigers, Afghanistan Pathans, Pakistan Panthers, and Rest of Asian Stars.
Star names include Ambati Rayudu , Yusuf Pathan , Tillakaratne Dilshan , Shakib Al Hasan , and Mohammad Hafeez , among others.
The league has secured a three-season broadcast deal with Sony Sports Network for Indian audiences.
League Commissioner Chetan Sharma confirmed the Zambia hosting is a one-off, with plans to return to Asia from Season 3 onwards.
The Asian Legends League (ALL) Season 2 is set to begin in Lusaka, Zambia, on 30 July 2026, running through 10 August, with a star-studded lineup of retired international cricketers headlined by Ambati Rayudu, Tillakaratne Dilshan, and Yusuf Pathan. The second edition expands to six country-based franchises and has secured a three-season broadcast deal with Sony Sports Network in India.
Why Zambia, Not Asia
Chetan Sharma, League Commissioner of the Asian Legends League, explained the unusual venue choice. 'Due to the prevailing geopolitical tensions in parts of the Middle East and the resulting logistical challenges, we have decided to host Season 2 in Zambia,' Sharma said. He added that this is 'the first and only time the tournament is being held outside Asia,' and confirmed that the league intends to return to Asian soil from Season 3 onwards.
Team Captains and Star Lineup
Yusuf Pathan will lead the Indian Royals, while Tillakaratne Dilshan captains the Rest of Asian Stars. Thisara Perera represents the Sri Lankan Lions, Shakib Al Hasan heads the Bangladesh Tigers, Asghar Afghan captains the Afghanistan Pathans, and Mohammad Hafeez leads the Pakistan Panthers.
Additional star power comes from a roster that includes Ambati Rayudu, Naman Ojha, Rishi Dhawan, Upul Tharanga, Isuru Udana, Danushka Gunathilaka, Dilshan Munaweera, Asela Gunaratne, Imran Nazir, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Akmal, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Irfan, Alok Kapali, and Malinda Siriwardana. More names are expected to be announced in the coming days.
Format and Broadcast
The tournament retains its T20 format and country-based franchise structure, which organisers say honours the region's cricketing rivalries and shared history. Informally dubbed the 'Retired Players' Asia Cup' by fans, the ALL has positioned itself as one of the leading legends-cricket events globally after a successful debut season.
The Sony Sports Network broadcast deal — spanning three seasons — marks a significant commercial milestone for the league, bringing the action to Indian audiences on a mainstream platform.
What to Watch
With geopolitical disruptions forcing a one-off shift to Africa, the league's organisational resilience will be on display. Sharma's stated ambition to rotate the tournament across Asian nations from Season 3 gives the league a longer-term roadmap. Whether the Zambia edition can sustain and grow the viewership built in Season 1 will be the key metric for broadcasters and sponsors alike.
Point of View
Not a strategic one — and the organisers are right to frame it as temporary. Hosting a tournament branded 'Asian' outside the continent is a branding risk that the Sony Sports deal partially offsets by anchoring it to Indian living rooms. The bigger question is whether legends cricket, which thrives on nostalgia, can build a sustainable commercial model beyond one-season spikes. The three-season broadcast commitment suggests Sony sees repeat value — but the league will need to deepen its digital and regional footprint before it can credibly claim a permanent place on the global cricket calendar.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is Asian Legends League Season 2 being held?
Asian Legends League Season 2 will be held in Lusaka, Zambia, from 30 July to 10 August 2026. This marks the first time the tournament is being staged outside Asia, due to geopolitical tensions and logistical challenges in parts of the Middle East.
Which players are featuring in Asian Legends League Season 2?
The season features prominent retired cricketers including Ambati Rayudu, Yusuf Pathan, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Shakib Al Hasan, Mohammad Hafeez, Asghar Afghan, Thisara Perera, Saeed Ajmal, Yasir Shah, and Imran Nazir, among others. More names are expected to be announced.
Who is broadcasting Asian Legends League Season 2 in India?
Sony Sports Network has signed a three-season broadcast deal and will serve as the official broadcaster of the Asian Legends League in India. The deal was confirmed ahead of the Season 2 launch.
Why is the Asian Legends League being held in Zambia instead of Asia?
League Commissioner Chetan Sharma cited prevailing geopolitical tensions in parts of the Middle East and resulting logistical challenges as the reason for moving to Zambia. He confirmed this is a one-off, with the league planning to return to Asia from Season 3 onwards.
What teams are competing in Asian Legends League Season 2?
Six country-based franchises compete: Indian Royals (led by Yusuf Pathan), Sri Lankan Lions (Thisara Perera), Bangladesh Tigers (Shakib Al Hasan), Afghanistan Pathans (Asghar Afghan), Pakistan Panthers (Mohammad Hafeez), and Rest of Asian Stars (Tillakaratne Dilshan).
