The Afghanistan Premier League T20 has unveiled its three inaugural franchises and the competition’s trophy ahead of its first season, which is scheduled to begin on December 27, 2026. The three announced teams are Axcel United Kabul, Balkh Zwanan and Kandahar Warriors.
The franchises and their team identities, were unveiled at a ceremony in Dubai attended by franchise owners, league partners and Afghanistan Cricket Board officials. The league also revealed its trophy, named the ‘Koh-E-Zafar’. The design draws inspiration from Afghanistan’s mountain ranges, intending to represent strength, resilience and the pinnacle of achievement in cricket.
The APL T20 player registration portal for the inaugural draft will open on August 30, with the draft itself scheduled for September 27. The league has yet to announce the complete tournament schedule and venues. ACB chairman Mirwais Ashraf said the launch represented an important step for Afghan cricket and highlighted the league’s potential to create a pathway for young players.
“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 said. The three franchises have also outlined ambitions centred around developing local talent and building strong connections with their respective regions.
Balkh Zwanan, whose name means youth, said its focus would be on identifying talent from northern Afghanistan and providing them with a professional platform, while Kandahar Warriors emphasised an aggressive playing identity and a strong home following. With the first season set to begin in December, the APL T20 will now turn its attention to the player draft and finalising the tournament’s schedule and venues.
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