The Afghanistan Premier League (APL) 2026 is set to bring exciting T20 cricket back to fans around the world. After a long break following its first edition in 2018, the tournament is preparing for a new chapter with five franchise teams, talented Afghan cricketers and international stars.
The Afghanistan Premier League is an important opportunity for Afghan cricket to showcase its talent on a global stage. The upcoming competition is expected to attract cricket fans from Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and other countries.
In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about APL 2026, including its history, participating teams, tournament format, expected schedule and importance for Afghanistan cricket.
What Is the Afghanistan Premier League (APL)?
The Afghanistan Premier League, commonly known as APL, is a professional Twenty20 (T20) cricket tournament organized under the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB).
The league was created to promote cricket in Afghanistan, develop local players and provide opportunities for international cricketers to compete alongside Afghan talent.
The first edition of the tournament was held in October 2018 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Five franchise teams participated in that competition, which attracted several international cricket stars.
After years without another edition, the Afghanistan Cricket Board began preparations for the return of the league in 2026.
Afghanistan Premier League 2026: Tournament Overview
Here are the key details currently announced for the upcoming tournament:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Afghanistan Premier League |
| Short Name | APL T20 |
| Organizer | Afghanistan Cricket Board |
| Format | T20 Cricket |
| Teams | 5 |
| Total Matches | 24 |
| First Match | December 27, 2026 |
| Expected Host Country | UAE |
| First Edition | 2018 |
| 2026 Trophy | Koh-E-Zafar |
Afghanistan Premier League 2026 Teams
The upcoming APL season will feature five franchise teams representing different regions and cricket communities.
The announced franchise names are:
- Kandahar Warriors
- Akcel United Kabul
- Nangarhar
- Paktia
- Balkh
History of the Afghanistan Premier League
The Afghanistan Premier League was first introduced in 2018 as an important step in the development of Afghan cricket.
The inaugural tournament took place from October 5 to October 21, 2018, at Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates.
Five teams participated in the first edition:
Balkh Legends
Kabul Zwanan
Kandahar Knights
Nangarhar Leopards
Paktia Panthers
Several well-known international players participated in the competition, making it an exciting event for cricket fans.
However, the tournament did not continue annually after its first edition. The Afghanistan Cricket Board later worked on plans to bring the competition back.
Now, the 2026 season represents a new opportunity for the league to establish itself among international T20 competitions.
APL 2018 Champions – Balkh Legends
Balkh Legends won the first edition of the Afghanistan Premier League in 2018.
In the final, Balkh Legends defeated Kabul Zwanan by four wickets at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Kabul Zwanan scored 132 runs for nine wickets in their 20 overs. Balkh Legends successfully chased the target, reaching 138 for six in 18.1 overs.
The victory made Balkh Legends the first-ever champions of the Afghanistan Premier League.
Rashid Khan, who represented Kabul Zwanan, was named Player of the Season.
Afghanistan Premier League 2026 Schedule
The Afghanistan Premier League 2026 is scheduled to begin on December 27, 2026.
The official APL website currently lists the opening match at 5:00 PM Dubai time.
The tournament is expected to feature 24 matches involving five teams.
More detailed match fixtures, team combinations and broadcast information should be checked through official tournament announcements.
Cricket fans should follow the official APL website for the latest schedule and match updates.
