Hosting international cricket in Afghanistan is real possibility: ACB CEO

Hosting international cricket in Afghanistan is a real possibility: ACB CEO

The idea of hosting international cricket in Afghanistan might once have seemed far-fetched. But for Afghanistan Cricket Board's Chief Executive Naseeb Khan, that dream is inching closer to reality.

There's talk of reviving the APL. With so many franchise leagues around the world, how difficult will it be to find the right window that attracts overseas players?

We believe the second edition of the APL has an ideal window in October-November. This period sees fewer franchise leagues globally, and the weather in the Middle East-where we intend to host the tournament-is highly suitable for cricket. The key challenge has always been finding the right partner, and we now have that in place. Our domestic talent continues to shine on international platforms, and their presence will naturally draw global attention to the APL. Our relationships with other cricket boards in terms of player release have been strategically nurtured, and we believe that will aid us in securing NOCs for international players.

Where do you plan to host the APL?

Most likely in the UAE, which remains our primary option and is being planned with our partner. However, to avoid further delays in launching the league, we've kept Oman and Qatar as backup options. These venues offer excellent facilities and have a strong Afghan diaspora, which helps build a natural fan base.

The Shpageeza T20 League continues to be a stronghold for Afghan cricket. Is participation mandatory for national players?

Yes, participation in Shpageeza is considered a national duty. Since its inception, the support from fans, commitment from players, and involvement of the management have made it a central pillar of our domestic cricket. Shpageeza has been instrumental in unearthing emerging talent. A recent example is our success at the Emerging Asia Cup, where top performers like Sediqullah Atal, Zubaid Akbari, and Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar came straight from Shpageeza. These young players have already made their mark, defeating teams that featured seasoned professionals with global league experience. It's a true testament to the success of our domestic system. Despite their global commitments, our star players make time to play in this league because they recognize its importance and their responsibility to connect with fans and inspire the next generation.

Is that strong connection to home the Afghan team's biggest strength? Players like Rashid Khan making time for Shpageeza despite their schedules says a lot.

Absolutely. Many of our players – including Rashid, Nabi, Naveen, Gurbaz, and Hashmat – are deeply involved in community work. They run their own welfare foundations and cricket academies in Afghanistan. This isn't just about cricket-it's about giving back and never forgetting where they came from. That connection to home is our greatest strength. It's worth mentioning that our national heroes have always stood by the people during times of hardship and natural disasters. Their presence and support go beyond the field.

Mohammad Nabi is nearing the end of his playing career. Do you see him returning to the ACB in a different role?

That decision ultimately rests with him. But given his current fitness and performance, I personally feel he still has more to contribute as a player. That said, I would absolutely welcome him back in a mentoring or coaching role. We already have examples like Hameed Hassan and Noor Ali Zadran, who are contributing to the senior and U-19 teams as coaches. Nabi's experience and leadership would be a tremendous asset to our technical structure.

There seems to be more stability now in terms of captaincy and coaching. Has that played a role in the team's recent success?

Undoubtedly. Stability has been key. Jonathan Trott has now been head coach for over three years, and Hashmatullah Shahidi has led the team for five years, with Rashid Khan also captaining in key formats. This consistency at the top-combined with board support-has brought clarity, focus, and unity to the team. My tenure, along with our Chairman's, was also extended by the government for another three years, which gives us the opportunity to complete long-term goals we've set in motion.

Do you believe Afghanistan can host international cricket in the near future?

Yes, that is a real possibility. Before 2021, we couldn't even host domestic matches in many provinces due to conflict. But now, Alhamdulillah, there is peace across the country. We recently held the Wakhan T20 Cup in Kunduz, near the Tajikistan border, and a three-day tournament in Helmand, near Iran. These events show how far we've come. With continued improvements in security and support from the international cricketing community, I truly believe Afghanistan will host international cricket within the next three to four years.

But is the infrastructure in place to support that ambition?

Our international cricketing journey only began 15 years ago, and yet we already have 8 to 10 standard cricket grounds across provinces including Kabul, Jalalabad, Kandahar, Khost, Zabul, Paktia, Kunar, and Kunduz. That, in itself, is a remarkable achievement. To address our budgetary constraints – mainly because staging home games abroad is costly – we're engaging with governments in Qatar, UAE, and India to seek funding and fast-track upgrades. Our infrastructure is steadily improving, and with continued effort and international support, we believe it will soon match global standards.