ACB limits player participation in overseas Franchise League by allowing only three leagues in a year for players.
ACB limits Afghanistan players to three foreign leagues per year.
In addition to their participation in the board’s new five-team franchise-based T20 league, which will begin in the United Arab Emirates in October 2026, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has accepted a new regulation that would restrict their players to playing in three international competitions. During the board’s annual general meeting in Kabul, this was one of the “key policy decisions” made.
“To protect player fitness and mental well-being, the board approved a new policy regarding foreign leagues,” the ACB statement said. “Players will now be permitted to participate in the Afghanistan Premier League (APL), plus only three other international leagues per year. This measure aims to manage workload and ensure peak performance for national duties.”
Rashid Khan, a highly sought-after T20 player, may suffer financial setbacks as a result. Currently leading MI Cape Town in the SA20, Rashid holds the record for most wickets taken in T20 cricket. He is also an important member of the Gujarat Titans in the IPL and MI’s other teams, MI Emirates (ILT20) and MI New York (MLC).
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, AM Ghazanfar, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Noor Ahmad, who are in high demand in franchise leagues worldwide, may also be impacted by the decision.
The number of players who can participate in franchise leagues is likewise limited by other boards. For example, the PCB only permits its players to play in two competitions other than the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Before heading to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup, Afghanistan’s next international assignment is a three-match Twenty20 International series against the West Indies in the United Arab Emirates.