The APL is scheduled to return on December 27, 2026, in the United Arab Emirates after an eight-year gap. Although reports suggested that ownership negotiations could delay the tournament, the ACB has dismissed the possibility of a postponement and maintained that preparations remain on track.
Speaking to Cricbuzz, ACB chief executive Naseeb Khan said the board was taking a careful approach to selecting franchise owners and commercial partners rather than rushing to fill the remaining slots for the Afghanistan league.
“ACB, together with our commercial partner, is in close communication with these parties, and we are working to finalise the remaining two franchise agreements as soon as possible.
Player Draft Set for Late October With 1,500 Registrations
Naseeb Khan confirmed that the APL remains on schedule, with the player draft set for the final week of October ahead of the December 27 start in the UAE. Around 1,500 players have registered for the tournament, including several international cricketers who could feature alongside players from Afghanistan.
A dedicated committee is screening the registered players against approved selection criteria. The ACB has also assigned a pool of Afghan coaches to take part in the draft process. The remaining coaching staff and team captains will be selected based on the requirements of each franchise.
The revamped tournament is scheduled to feature 24 matches across venues in the UAE. The Afghanistan Cricket Board has also kept open the possibility of hosting future editions in other locations.
ACB Expects English Players to Feature Despite Bilateral Stance
Naseeb said the ACB values its relationship with the ECB and hopes both boards will continue to cooperate on player participation in franchise competitions, including the Afghanistan Premier League.
“Our understanding is that the continued growth of cricket depends on strong cooperation among cricket boards, particularly in facilitating player participation in different forms of cricket, including franchise leagues around the world, subject to the respective boards’ policies, schedules and contractual considerations.
“ACB has always supported and facilitated the participation of our players in England, various leagues and competitions, and we look forward to the same spirit of cooperation for the APL. We are confident that this mutual understanding and support will continue to benefit the players, the respective boards and the long-term development of cricket globally,” he added.
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