Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has officially unveiled plans to relaunch the Afghanistan Premier League (APL), more than seven years after the inaugural edition in 2018. The league was cancelled in 2019 after the planned second season was postponed when commercial partner Snixer Sports failed to pay the board the agreed rights fees. The ACB had also cited integrity concerns involving individuals associated with Snixer Sports when terminating the agreement.
Under a new 10-year commercial partnership with UAE-based ITW Consulting DMCC, the ACB will hand over the operation and management of the league to a company experienced in media, branding, consulting, and digital marketing. ITW will work closely with the board to ensure the APL becomes a professionally run, sustainable T20 competition with strong international visibility.
The Grand Launch Event for the APL T20 was held yesterday in Dubai, where the board and its partners revealed the tournament window, venues, league structure, brand identity, and commercial roadmap. Officials confirmed that the league is likely to hold its player draft around June-July 2026. Senior leadership from ITW, TG, Skywalkers, and the ACB attended the ceremony, alongside media and global cricket stakeholders.
Afghanistan continues to run its domestic T20 competition, the Shpageeza Cricket League, held in Kabul since 2016. The league features five domestic teams and has completed seven editions, providing a steady platform for local talent in the absence of a fully operational APL. While organizers have roped in overseas as guest players, but actual participation has been limited. Nonetheless, the league has attracted consistent overseas interest through broadcasts featuring regular international commentators, helping raise its profile globally.
Mirwais Ashraf, chairman of the ACB, described the APL as a “strategic pillar” of the board’s long-term vision. “The launch marks a major step toward turning that vision into reality. The league will open new horizons for Afghan cricket,” he said.
ACB CEO Naseeb Khan added: “The APL will provide a world-class platform for Afghan players and a robust commercial ecosystem for the board. With the launch now complete, we are excited to introduce this next phase to the global cricketing community.”
In its inaugural 2018 edition in Sharjah, APL had attracted a constellation of T20 stars alongside its homegrown talent. Icon players headlined the tournament with Chris Gayle, Shahid Afridi, Andre Russell, Brendon McCullum and Rashid Khan leading the five franchises.
The competition had also featured a strong supporting cast of international names such as Tamim Iqbal, Colin Munro, Mohammad Hafeez, Mushfiqur Rahim, Ravi Bopara, Thisara Perera, Chris Jordan, Luke Ronchi, Wayne Parnell, Ben Cutting and Wahab Riaz, while Associate and emerging talents like Sandeep Lamichhane, Calum MacLeod and Ryan ten Doeschate added further depth to the rosters. Afghan stars including Mohammad Shahzad, Mohammad Nabi, Asghar Afghan and Gulbadin Naib anchored their respective sides, making the league a compelling blend of experience and local promise.
Under a new 10-year commercial partnership with UAE-based ITW Consulting DMCC, the ACB will hand over the operation and management of the league to a company experienced in media, branding, consulting, and digital marketing. ITW will work closely with the board to ensure the APL becomes a professionally run, sustainable T20 competition with strong international visibility.
The Grand Launch Event for the APL T20 was held yesterday in Dubai, where the board and its partners revealed the tournament window, venues, league structure, brand identity, and commercial roadmap. Officials confirmed that the league is likely to hold its player draft around June-July 2026. Senior leadership from ITW, TG, Skywalkers, and the ACB attended the ceremony, alongside media and global cricket stakeholders.
Afghanistan continues to run its domestic T20 competition, the Shpageeza Cricket League, held in Kabul since 2016. The league features five domestic teams and has completed seven editions, providing a steady platform for local talent in the absence of a fully operational APL. While organizers have roped in overseas as guest players, but actual participation has been limited. Nonetheless, the league has attracted consistent overseas interest through broadcasts featuring regular international commentators, helping raise its profile globally.
Mirwais Ashraf, chairman of the ACB, described the APL as a “strategic pillar” of the board’s long-term vision. “The launch marks a major step toward turning that vision into reality. The league will open new horizons for Afghan cricket,” he said.
ACB CEO Naseeb Khan added: “The APL will provide a world-class platform for Afghan players and a robust commercial ecosystem for the board. With the launch now complete, we are excited to introduce this next phase to the global cricketing community.”
In its inaugural 2018 edition in Sharjah, APL had attracted a constellation of T20 stars alongside its homegrown talent. Icon players headlined the tournament with Chris Gayle, Shahid Afridi, Andre Russell, Brendon McCullum and Rashid Khan leading the five franchises.
The competition had also featured a strong supporting cast of international names such as Tamim Iqbal, Colin Munro, Mohammad Hafeez, Mushfiqur Rahim, Ravi Bopara, Thisara Perera, Chris Jordan, Luke Ronchi, Wayne Parnell, Ben Cutting and Wahab Riaz, while Associate and emerging talents like Sandeep Lamichhane, Calum MacLeod and Ryan ten Doeschate added further depth to the rosters. Afghan stars including Mohammad Shahzad, Mohammad Nabi, Asghar Afghan and Gulbadin Naib anchored their respective sides, making the league a compelling blend of experience and local promise.
