Afghanistan Launches Its Own IPL-Style T20 League; APL Set for 2026 Debut
- Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced a new franchise-based T20 league, the Afghanistan Premier League (APLT20).
- The first season will be held in October 2026, with the UAE as the host nation.
- The league will feature five city-based franchises and include Afghan stars, overseas players, and young domestic talent.
- ACB has partnered with Cricket Ventures (Trans Group & ITW Universe) to revive and restructure the league.
In a landmark development for the nation’s rapidly rising cricket ecosystem, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has officially announced the launch of a new franchise-based T20 competition, the Afghanistan Premier League (APLT20). The inaugural edition of the tournament is scheduled to take place in October 2026, with the United Arab Emirates set to host the event.
This announcement marks a significant step forward in Afghanistan’s cricketing journey, which has evolved remarkably over the past decade. From playing associate-level cricket to becoming one of the most feared white-ball sides in the world, Afghanistan’s rise has been nothing short of extraordinary. That progress reached a historic milestone during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, where Afghanistan stunned the cricketing world by reaching the semi-finals — their first-ever appearance in the final four of an ICC senior tournament.
Building on that momentum, the ACB has decided to reintroduce the Afghanistan Premier League in a revamped and more structured format. The league was originally launched in 2018 but ran for only one season due to logistical and commercial challenges. The 2026 edition, however, is being positioned as a fresh start, with improved planning, stronger commercial backing, and a long-term vision.
The APLT20 will feature five city-based franchises, with player acquisition expected to take place through a draft or auction process around June–July 2026. Afghanistan’s existing domestic T20 competition, the Shpageeza Cricket League, will continue to be played during the July–August window and will act as a crucial talent feeder system for the new league.
One of the key objectives of the Afghanistan Premier League is to create a platform where Afghanistan’s international stars, overseas professionals, and emerging domestic players can compete together. The ACB believes that such exposure will not only accelerate player development but also help prepare young Afghan cricketers for the demands of elite international cricket.
To ensure the league’s commercial viability and global reach, the ACB has partnered with Cricket Ventures, a joint venture between Trans Group and ITW Universe. The partnership aims to strengthen broadcast reach, sponsorship opportunities, and overall tournament operations. The next phase of the project will involve finalising franchise identities, ownership models, and commercial partners.
The choice of the UAE as the host nation reflects both logistical convenience and proven success, as Afghanistan have frequently hosted international fixtures and domestic tournaments there. Playing in the UAE also allows the league to attract international players while providing world-class facilities and infrastructure.
With the 2026 T20 World Cup scheduled to be played in India and Sri Lanka earlier that year, the Afghanistan Premier League is expected to play a crucial role in sharpening Afghanistan’s T20 depth. If executed as planned, the league could become a defining pillar in Afghanistan’s cricketing structure and a major addition to the global T20 calendar.
