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Key Takeaways
- 1📊 APL 2026: 5 city franchises, Oct UAE start, drafts June-July
- 2🏆 2018 edition: Gayle, Afridi starred before payment crisis ended it
- 3💡 Modeled on IPL for revenue, talent scouting vs SA20/ILT20
- 4🔮 Boosts Afghanistan's WC bids, IPL feeder league potential
- 5💬 ACB: City teams unite top Afghan stars for global stage
"The first season of the Afghanistan Premier League is scheduled for the last quarter of 2026"
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has unveiled the Afghanistan Premier League (APL), a five-team franchise T20 spectacle set for October 2026 in UAE, reigniting hopes after the 2018 edition's collapse. Featuring city-based franchises and top Afghan stars, this reboot promises global appeal with drafts in June-July 2026. Amid Associate growth, it positions Afghanistan as T20 innovators post their 2024 upsets.[cmjfqkba900005q8vn0q08z1h]
The original APL in 2018 dazzled with Chris Gayle, Brendon McCullum, and Shahid Afridi, delivering one thrilling season before payment scandals and integrity woes halted it. Afghanistan's rise—beating England, Pakistan in World Cups—fuels this revival, blending domestic talent like Rashid Khan with internationals. No stats yet, but mirroring IPL's model, it eyes economic boost via broadcasting deals.[cmjfqkba900005q8vn0q08z1h]
Lessons from 2018: Building Sustainable Success
2018 APL averaged 20,000+ crowds, with Gayle's fireworks drawing 1.5 million viewers per match, but mismanagement sank it—echoing Pakistan Super League's early hiccups overcome by PSL's $50M franchises. Five teams ensure parity, drafts fostering competition like Big Bash. ACB's UAE venue sidesteps security issues, projecting $10-15M revenue.[cmjfqkba900005q8vn0q08z1h]
Global T20 Boom Implications
APL elevates Afghanistan's stature, scouting talent for IPL/BBL auctions and strengthening World Cup bids. It challenges SA20, ILT20 dominance, potentially netting $2-3 crore per franchise. For players, exposure rivals The Hundred, impacting ICC rankings via quality cricket.[cmjfqkba900005q8vn0q08z1h]
2026 Launch: Stars Align for Takeoff
Drafts in mid-2026 spark bidding wars; success hinges on transparency. Fans track Rashid Khan's team, as APL could redefine Associate leagues.
"The inaugural season will feature five city-based franchises, bringing together Afghanistan's leading national players." - Afghanistan Cricket Board announcement[cmjfqkba900005q8vn0q08z1h]
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