Next edition of Afghanistan Premier League slated for late 2026

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced on Monday that the next edition of the Afghanistan Premier League T20 (APLT20) is planned for the final quarter of 2026.

The decision was revealed during a launch event in the UAE on December 20, where the tournament's logo, proposed window, venue, and team structure were presented.

ACB chief executive Naseeb Khan stated the timing was chosen after considering Afghanistan's packed schedule until that point, which includes:

• The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 in February.
• The IPL and the PSL.
• Bilateral series against India (home and away), Sri Lanka, Ireland, Bangladesh, and South Africa.

The aim is to host the APL in a window free of Afghanistan's bilateral commitments and major franchise leagues, while also ensuring favorable weather in the UAE.

The tournament will feature five teams playing in a double round-robin format, followed by playoffs and a final. The five teams from the inaugural 2018 edition—Balkh Legends, Kabul Zwanan, Kandahar Knights, Nangarhar Leopards, and Paktia Panthers—are expected to return.

Previous attempts to revive the league after 2018 were unsuccessful, including a postponed second edition after the ACB terminated its agreement with Snixer Sports over unpaid rights fees.

Naseeb Khan emphasized that the ACB has learned from past experiences. He highlighted the board's growth and the national team's recent successes, including four players in the ICC Men's ODI Team of the Year 2024 and Azmatullah Omarzai being named ICC Men's ODI Player of the Year.

He also noted the success of the reformed National A Team (Afghan Abdalyan), which won the ACC Men's Emerging Teams' T20 Asia Cup in 2024, demonstrating the depth of talent available for the APL.

On the administrative front, the ACB initiated a Request for Proposal (RFP) in June 2023 to find a strategic partner. After a year-long evaluation, a joint venture between ITW and Trans Group was signed as the long-term strategic partner for the APL in June 2025.

Given this progress, a clear roadmap for team auctions, and a draft ceremony, the ACB believes it is in a strong position to successfully resume the APL and provide a platform for emerging talent.