England Cricketers Get Green Light for Afghanistan Premier League T20

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-10-01

### ECB Clears the Way for English Players in Afghanistan Premier League The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has decided to issue No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) to English cricketers who want to play in the new Afghanistan Premier League (APL) T20 tournament. The five-team league will kick off on December 27, 2026, in the United Arab Emirates. This move comes after the International Cricket Council (ICC) gives its official sanction. The ECB is separating the issue of player availability for overseas franchise competitions from its stance on direct international matches against Afghanistan. This means top English players can participate in the APL while the ECB continues to boycott bilateral series due to the Taliban's restrictions on women. ### Why the ECB Is Saying Yes to the APL The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) is running the league with commercial promoters Trans Group and ITW Universe. The inaugural season will feature five teams in the UAE, with long-term plans to hold future matches at Kabul International Cricket Stadium. The ECB's decision to treat the APL like any other overseas franchise event is a practical one. The December scheduling window doesn't clash with the English domestic summer season, so there's no conflict with county commitments. Two years ago, English players fought an ECB move to tighten NOC rules for summer leagues that clash, but this December timing avoids all that. ### Big Names in the Draft The organisers postponed the APL player draft from September 27 to October 24, 2026. A number of leading English cricketers have already registered. Batsman Ollie Pope and fast bowler Luke Wood, both on ECB central contracts for 2025-26, are among them. Their contracts require formal ECB NOC approval before they can compete. Other major English names in the draft include Moeen Ali, Jason Roy, Reece Topley, James Vince, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, and Laurie Evans. International players like Scotland's Brandon McMullen and Ireland's Jai Moondra have also entered the pool. In total, 30 overseas players have confirmed their registration. > "The ECB will grant players NOCs to feature in the new Afghanistan Premier League T20 despite its reluctance to play bilateral series against Afghanistan." ### A Clear Divide: International Matches vs. Franchise Leagues The ECB remains firmly opposed to private franchise leagues and formal bilateral agreements. It refuses to schedule a direct two-nation series against Afghanistan because of the Taliban government's ban on women and girls playing cricket. However, the board leaves it to each individual player to decide whether to play for a franchise. England last met Afghanistan in the 2025 Champions Trophy in Lahore, Pakistan. Afghanistan won by eight runs, knocking England out of the tournament. Ahead of that game, 200 Members of Parliament signed a cross-party letter urging the ECB to boycott the fixture. Demonstrators also gathered outside London's Lord's Cricket Ground. Richard Thompson, the head of the ECB, called the "appalling oppression" of women in Afghanistan "gender apartheid." He called for a global coordinated response from international cricket authorities, not a one-nation boycott. ### What This Means for the Players For English cricketers, this is a chance to play in a new T20 league without jeopardizing their international careers. The ECB's NOC policy is clear: as long as the league doesn't clash with domestic or international commitments, players are free to participate. This approach keeps everyone happy—players get to earn and gain experience, while the ECB maintains its principled stand on bilateral series. The APL is set to be a thrilling addition to the T20 calendar, and with so many big names already signed up, it's bound to attract attention. Keep an eye on the draft on October 24 to see which teams snag the top talent.