England Cricketers Set to Feature in Afghanistan Premier League

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-10-01

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has made a decision that's raising eyebrows across the cricket world. They're going to issue No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) for English players to join the brand-new Afghanistan Premier League (APL) T20 tournament. ### What's the Deal with the APL? The APL is a five-team T20 league set to kick off on December 27, 2026, in the United Arab Emirates. It's run by the Afghanistan Cricket Board along with promoters Trans Group and ITW Universe. The plan is to eventually move matches to Kabul International Cricket Stadium, but for now, the UAE will host the inaugural season. Once the International Cricket Council (ICC) gives its official stamp, the ECB will allow individual players to sign up. This might seem odd because the ECB refuses to play bilateral series against Afghanistan due to the Taliban's restrictions on women. But they're treating the APL like any other overseas franchise league. It's a clear separation between international matches and private tournaments. ### Why the ECB Is Saying Yes The ECB's stance is simple: they won't schedule two-nation series with Afghanistan because of the Taliban's ban on women playing cricket. But they won't stop players from competing in a franchise league. The December window also helps—it doesn't clash with England's domestic summer, so there's no scheduling headache. A couple of years ago, English players pushed back against tighter NOC rules for summer leagues, but this winter timing avoids all that. The Professional Cricketers' Association had asked for guidance, and now they have it. ### Big Names in the Draft The player draft was moved from September 27 to October 24, 2026, and plenty of English stars have thrown their hats in the ring. Ollie Pope and Luke Wood, both on ECB central contracts, are among them. Other notable names include Moeen Ali, Jason Roy, Reece Topley, James Vince, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, and Laurie Evans. It's not just English players—Scottish cricketer Brandon McMullen and Irish player Jai Moondra are also in the mix. In total, 30 overseas players have confirmed they'll enter the draft. ### The Bigger Picture The ECB's decision doesn't mean they're softening their stance on Afghanistan's government. They've been vocal about what they call "gender apartheid." Richard Thompson, the ECB head, has called for a coordinated global response from cricket authorities, not just a one-nation boycott. England last faced Afghanistan in the 2025 Champions Trophy, where Afghanistan knocked them out by eight runs. That match was surrounded by protests and political pressure, with 200 MPs signing a letter urging a boycott. So, while the ECB won't schedule a bilateral series, they're letting players make their own choices about franchise cricket. It's a pragmatic approach that keeps English cricket involved in global T20 leagues without endorsing the Taliban's policies. For players, it's a chance to play more cricket and earn some money. For fans, it's another league to watch. And for the ECB, it's a way to navigate a tricky political situation without penalizing players. ### What's Next? The APL draft is set for October 24, and the tournament begins December 27. Keep an eye on which English players get picked—it'll be interesting to see how many actually end up playing. One thing's for sure: cricket and politics are never far apart, and this league is no exception.