Afghanistan Premier League unveils three franchises and Koh-E-Zafar trophy in Dubai

On August 26, 2026 the Afghanistan Cricket Board unveiled three inaugural franchises and the Koh-E-Zafar trophy for the planned Afghanistan Premier League at a ceremony in Dubai. The league’s first season is scheduled to begin on December 27, 2026.

The competition is planned as a T20 league intended to provide a platform for Afghan cricketers to compete alongside established international names. Registration for players begins on August 30, with the final draft of the competition scheduled for the 27th September. The ACB said it is moving towards the player drafts and several other arrangements as the tournament remains in its early phases. Complete fixtures and venues have not yet been announced.

Most franchise owners and other ACB officials attended the Dubai ceremony where the Koh-E-Zafar trophy was revealed. The ACB described the trophy’s design as drawing inspiration from Afghanistan’s mountain ranges and said it symbolises the strength, resilience, and achievements of Afghan cricket.

The three franchises announced are Axcel United Kabul, Balkh Zwanan and Kandahar Warriors. Axcel United Kabul will represent the capital city, Kabul, while Balkh Zwanan will represent Afghanistan’s northern provinces; the term ‘Zwanan’, meaning ‘youth’ in Pashto, signals a focus on young cricketers. The Kandahar Warriors originate from the southern region, and organisers said they hope the league will help players from key parts of Afghanistan emerge and draw the attention of national selectors.

Organisers and commentators in the announcement framed the league as a potential contributor to Afghanistan’s growing prominence in T20I cricket. The statement referenced established Afghan players such as Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rashid Khan and Azmatullah Omarzai and noted Afghanistan’s recent competitiveness in the shortest format of the game.

With player registration opening on August 30 and the draft set for the 27th September, attention will shift to the pool of entrants ahead of the December 27, 2026 start date. Further announcements on fixtures and venues are expected as the ACB completes the remaining arrangements.