Afghanistan Premier League Revived for 2026

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) is set to reintroduce the Afghanistan Premier League (APL), a domestic T20 franchise competition. The inaugural season of this revived tournament is scheduled to take place in the United Arab Emirates around October 2026, featuring five city-based franchises. This initiative aims to develop local talent and provide a global platform for Afghan cricketers.

The ACB has partnered with Cricket Venture to organize the league, which will see top national players alongside international professionals and emerging local talent. The player draft is anticipated in June or July 2026, marking a significant step in Afghanistan's cricketing journey. Chairman Mirwais Ashraf emphasized the league's role in fostering growth and unity within the sport.

While the APL is being revived, Afghanistan will continue to host its existing domestic T20 tournament, the Shpageeza Cricket League, annually in July-August. The ACB is now focused on finalizing franchise details, securing commercial partners, and completing the player selection process for the upcoming APL season.