Afghanistan Premier League Targets December 2026 Return as Franchise Talks Continue
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) says the Afghanistan Premier League remains on course to return on December 27, 2026, despite ongoing negotiations to fill two of the tournament’s five franchise positions. Five groups are reportedly interested in the available spots, including one from Afghanistan and others from India and additional markets. Three franchise owners have already been confirmed.
The planned comeback would revive a competition that has been absent since its inaugural season in 2018. ACB chief executive Naseeb Khan has rejected suggestions that the league could be delayed because the remaining ownership agreements are not yet complete. Instead, he says the board is taking time to identify partners with the resources and experience to support the tournament beyond its first season back.
ACB prioritises long-term franchise partners
Finding owners is more than a matter of filling places on a team list. Franchise partners are expected to help fund operations, attract sponsors, build local and international audiences, and contribute to the league’s long-term stability. That makes financial credibility and a clear commitment to the project important considerations as the ACB works to complete its line-up.
“The Afghanistan Cricket Board remains fully committed to delivering the APL as planned,” Naseeb said. He added that the board and its commercial partner are in close contact with interested parties and are working to finalise the remaining agreements. The ACB’s stated approach is to secure suitable partners rather than rush the process simply to announce five teams.
That cautious strategy reflects the league’s difficult history. Although the APL is being planned as a five-team competition, the board has yet to confirm the identities of all five owners. The inaugural tournament was also staged in the United Arab Emirates, and the ACB has left open the possibility of holding future editions in another location. The UAE is therefore the setting for the planned return, but not necessarily the league’s permanent home.
From the 2018 inaugural season to a long-awaited revival
The first Afghanistan Premier League featured Balkh Legends, Kabul Zwanan, Kandahar Knights, Nangarhar Leopards and Paktia Panthers. Balkh Legends won the title, giving the competition an early sporting success and a platform for Afghan and overseas players to share a franchise stage.
A second edition, however, did not follow. The ACB scrapped the league’s sanction and commercial-rights agreement with Snixer Sports after the company failed to pay the full rights fees. Subsequent attempts to bring the tournament back did not result in a new season, leaving the APL on hold for years.
That history helps explain why the board is emphasising commercial due diligence now. A successful cricket league depends not only on player interest and a schedule, but also on reliable funding, clear ownership responsibilities and sound administration. For fans considering an APL prediction or following the competition’s likely contenders, the franchise announcements will be an important early indicator of how ambitious and competitive the revived tournament could be.
Player draft planned for the final week of October
Despite the outstanding franchise negotiations, the ACB says preparations are moving ahead. The player draft is scheduled for the final week of October, with the league set to begin on December 27. According to Naseeb, approximately 1,500 players have registered, including established international cricketers from several countries.
A committee is assessing the applicants against approved selection criteria. The process is intended to help create a balanced player pool, giving franchises options across different roles and experience levels. ACB officials have also assembled a group of Afghan coaches, who are expected to be presented for the draft in the coming days. Other coaching appointments and team captains will be selected according to the needs of each franchise and the board’s criteria.
The size of the registration list suggests considerable interest in the league, although registration alone does not confirm participation. Final squads will depend on draft decisions, player availability, contracts and any required clearances from national boards. Those details will shape the tournament’s competitive balance and provide a clearer picture for supporters assessing team prospects.
English players and ECB clearance remain a key question
One issue attracting attention is whether English cricketers will be available for the APL. The question comes amid wider political sensitivities: England’s national team has declined to play bilateral series against Afghanistan because of the Taliban government’s treatment of women. That position has raised uncertainty over whether English players could take part in an Afghan-backed franchise competition and whether they would receive permission from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
Naseeb said the ACB values its relationship with the ECB and other cricket boards, and hopes cooperation will support player participation in franchise leagues where permitted. He noted that such decisions are subject to each board’s policies, schedules and contractual obligations. His comments express the ACB’s expectation of continued dialogue, but they do not amount to confirmation that English players will take part or receive ECB no-objection certificates.
The distinction matters for players, teams and fans. International availability can affect a league’s profile and the strength of its squads, while board policies and existing commitments may limit who can be selected. The APL’s final overseas contingent will become clearer as the draft approaches and player clearances are addressed.
What to watch before the APL begins
For now, the key milestones are the completion of the two franchise deals, publication of the player pool and the October draft. Confirmation of the tournament venue, team ownership and overseas-player availability will also help supporters judge how the revived competition is taking shape.
The ACB’s message is that the Afghanistan Premier League is scheduled to return with five teams on December 27, 2026. Its ability to meet that target will depend on turning investor interest into signed agreements and completing the practical work required for a professional tournament. After years of delays, the planned comeback offers a fresh opportunity to showcase Afghan cricket, but its lasting success will rest on dependable partnerships as much as on performances in the middle.
