Background The creation of the Afghanistan Premier League followed
Afghanistan's rapid rise in
international cricket and its attainment of
Full Member status in the
International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2017. Following the success of Afghan players in global tournaments like the
Indian Premier League (IPL) and the
Big Bash League, the
Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) sought to establish a high-profile domestic
T20 league. The primary objectives were to provide local players with exposure to international standards, improve the board's financial independence, and bring high-level cricket to Afghan fans, although matches were ultimately held in the
United Arab Emirates due to security considerations.
History The Afghanistan Premier League (APL) was established by the
Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) in 2018 to provide a professional platform for domestic talent following the country's attainment of
Full Member status. The league attracted significant international attention, with veteran stars such as
Chris Gayle,
Shahid Afridi,
Brendon McCullum, and
Andre Russell participating. The tournament concluded with the
Balkh Legends, captained by
Mohammad Nabi, defeating
Kabul Zwanan to become the first-ever champions.
Postponement and contractual issues Despite the sporting success of the first season, the league faced immediate administrative challenges. In September 2019, the
ACB officially terminated its agreement with the commercial partner, Snooker City, citing non-payment of rights fees and lack of transparency. The league was subsequently suspended due to governance concerns and delayed player payments. Over the following years, the combination of the
COVID-19 pandemic and political transitions within
Afghanistan further delayed any attempts at a restart.
Termination and lawsuit Following the inaugural 2018 season, the league faced a major legal crisis. In September 2019, the ACB terminated its 10-year commercial agreement with Snixer Sports, citing material breaches and integrity risks.
Revival (2025–2026) In June 2024, the
ACB confirmed that they were in the final stages of planning a relaunch for the tournament. The board cited the need for a premier
T20 platform to sustain the development of the
national team. In December 2024, it was announced that the tournament is officially scheduled to return in October 2026, with the
UAE likely to host the matches once again.
Relaunch (2026) In December 2025, the
ACB officially announced the return of the league. The second edition is scheduled for October 2026, with the board citing the league as essential for the continued development of the
Afghanistan national cricket team. ==Teams==