Afghanistan Premier League confirms first three franchises for inaugural season

The Afghanistan Premier League has confirmed three franchises for its inaugural T20 season, with the tournament set to get under way on December 27, 2026. The three teams are Axcel United Kabul, Balkh Zwanan and Kandahar Warriors.

A ceremony held in Dubai on August 26, 2026, brought together franchise owners, league partners and officials from the Afghanistan Cricket Board to mark the occasion. The event also saw the official unveiling of the league trophy, named the Koh-E-Zafar.

The Koh-E-Zafar trophy takes its visual cues from Afghanistan's rugged mountain landscape. According to the league, the design is meant to embody strength, resilience and the highest level of sporting achievement.

ACB Chairman Mirwais Ashraf addressed those gathered at the Dubai ceremony and spoke about what the occasion means for Afghan cricket.

"Today is a landmark occasion for Afghan cricket. The unveiling of our inaugural franchises and the Koh-E-Zafar trophy reflects our shared vision of building a league that inspires future generations," Ashraf was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

Each franchise has been built around a distinct regional character. Balkh Zwanan draws its name from a word meaning youth, and the franchise has outlined a clear intent to unearth and develop talent from northern Afghanistan. The focus on younger players is central to the franchise's stated philosophy.

Kandahar Warriors have positioned themselves around an aggressive on-field identity and anticipate a strong and vocal following from their home region. Axcel United Kabul represent the capital and add a third distinct voice to the league's opening lineup.

Further reports in the media have added that five franchises are planned for the inaugural APL season, covering the Kabul, Kandahar, Balkh, Paktia and Nangarhar regions. The status of the remaining two franchises not announced on August 26, 2026, has not been confirmed by ACB.

The league has published a clear schedule for squad assembly following the franchise announcements. The player registration portal is set to open on August 30, 2026, four days after the Dubai ceremony, giving players and their representatives a window to formally register ahead of the draft.

The player draft is scheduled for September 27, 2026. Once the draft concludes, the three confirmed franchises will have their squads in place ahead of the December 27, 2026 season opener. The APL will be staged in the UAE.