Why is No Active Pakistani Players in Afghanistan Premier League? Latest Updates

The Afghanistan Premier League (APL) is set to return in late 2026 after a long eight-year gap. The tournament is scheduled to commence on December 27 in the UAE. The revived competition will feature five franchises and a blend of Afghan and international players from the top cricketing countries across the world.

However, what has caught notable attention is the absence of any active Pakistani players in the Afghanistan Premier League player pool. Both the neighbouring countries have shared multiple cricketing crossovers over the years, but the participation of any active Pakistan internationals in the APL has recently been restricted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Why No Active Pakistani Cricketer in Afghanistan Premier League? Revealed!

The controversy of barring active Pakistani players in Afghanistan Premier League is of no surprise. During the 2018 inaugural edition of APL, the Pakistan Cricket Board refused to issue the No Objection Certificate (NOC) to active Pakistani players, thereby restricting them from playing in one of the biggest cricket leagues in the world, the APL. However, former Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi, who was already retired, was allowed to take part in the tournament.

The underlying issue here is the PCB's policy on NOCs for overseas franchise leagues. In 2018, the board explained that without a thorough review of the competitions and their organisers, the centrally contracted Pakistan players would not be allowed to take part in similar tournaments. The current APL 2026 announcement establishes a player-registration process and eligibility for international players but does not publicly mention any PCB-specific ban. More than 1,000 players, including around 500 overseas players, have already registered for the 2026 APL draft.

What is the Latest Update on APL 2026?

One of the richest cricket leagues in the world, the Afghanistan Premier League is undergoing a rebuild after its last edition in 2018 and is moving ahead with a comeback. The Afghanistan Cricket Board has confirmed the participation of five franchises, with the first three unveiled teams being Axcel United Kabul, Balkh Zwanan and Kandahar Warriors.

Player registrations began in late August and closed on September 19, with the player draft scheduled for September 27. The tournament is now set to begin on December 27, 2026. For now, the absence of Pakistani players should be viewed in the context of PCB’s established NOC policy rather than as a fresh confirmation.