England Stars Eye Afghanistan Premier League After ECB Green Light

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-10-01

### ECB Opens the Door for English Players in Afghanistan Premier League So here's something you don't see every day. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is ready to hand out No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) to English cricketers who want to play in the brand-new Afghanistan Premier League (APL) T20 tournament. The five-team competition kicks off on December 27, 2026, in the United Arab Emirates. That's right—English players could be suiting up for a league tied to Afghanistan, even while the ECB refuses to play bilateral series against the country. Sounds a bit contradictory, doesn't it? Let me break it down. ### Why the ECB Is Saying Yes (Sort Of) The ECB's stance is simple: it treats the APL like any other overseas franchise league. Once the International Cricket Council (ICC) gives official sanction, individual players can join. The board separates player availability for franchise cricket from its position on direct international matches against Afghanistan. That means top English talent can cash in on the T20 circuit, while the ECB keeps boycotting two-nation series because of the Taliban's restrictions on women and girls playing cricket. It's a fine line, but one the ECB has drawn clearly. The December scheduling window helps too—it doesn't clash with the English domestic summer season. Two years ago, English players fought an ECB move to tighten NOC rules for summer leagues that clash with domestic fixtures. This time, the timing avoids all that drama and gives a clean administrative approval for registered players. ### Big Names Already in the Draft Pool The organizers postponed the APL player draft from September 27 to October 24, 2026. And a bunch of leading English cricketers have already thrown their hats in the ring. 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, which now looks likely. Other major English names in the draft include: - Moeen Ali - Jason Roy - Reece Topley - James Vince - Tom Kohler-Cadmore - Laurie Evans International players from other countries are also in the mix. Scottish cricketer Brandon McMullen and Irish player Jai Moondra are among those looking for selection. In total, 30 overseas players have confirmed their registration for the draft. ### The Politics Behind the Cricket The ECB is firmly opposed to private franchise leagues and formal bilateral agreements. But when it comes to Afghanistan, there's a deeper issue. The board refuses to schedule a direct two-nation series because of the Taliban government's ban on women and girls playing cricket. Yet the ECB policy leaves it to each individual player to decide whether or not to play for a franchise. England last met Afghanistan in the 2025 Champions Trophy in Lahore, Pakistan. Afghanistan won by eight runs and knocked 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. So, what's next? The APL is set to launch with five teams in the UAE, with long-term plans to host matches at Kabul International Cricket Stadium. For English players, it's a chance to play more T20 cricket and earn some cash. For the ECB, it's a delicate balancing act between principle and practicality. And for fans, it's another twist in the ever-complicated relationship between sport and politics. For more cricket news and updates, stay tuned.