A host of legendary international cricketers and former coaches have been confirmed as support staff members for the five franchises in the upcoming revamped Afghanistan Premier League. Big names such as Irfan Pathan, Waqar Younis, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Azhar Mahmood, and Mark Boucher have taken up key roles ahead of the players’ draft scheduled to be held in Dubai.
The franchise-based T20 tournament, which is slated to get underway on December 27, has already named its marquee captains, including Afghanistan stars Rashid Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rahmat Shah, and Ibrahim Zadran. The league aims to attract global attention with close to 1500 players initially registering before being trimmed down to a final pool of 462 for the upcoming selection process.
Team Leadership and Mentorship Roles
The coaching and mentorship assignments were finalized following a leaders’ draft conducted by former Sri Lanka allrounder Farveez Maharoof. Franchise lineups feature prominent international tacticians and former greats overseeing the squad formations across multiple categories, ensuring a competitive balance.
- Kandahar Warriors: Led by Rashid Khan with Ravi Bopara as head coach and Irfan Pathan as mentor.
- Akcel United Kabul: Captained by Azmatullah Omarzai, featuring Shane McDermott as head coach and Nikhil Chopra as mentor.
- Nangarhar Team: Headed by Rahmanullah Gurbaz, with Toby Radford as head coach and Mark Boucher as mentor.
- Paktia Team: Led by Rahmat Shah, backed by Azhar Mahmood as head coach and Waqar Younis as mentor.
Tournament Structure and Regulations
The upcoming competition will operate under strict squad guidelines, with each franchise limited to a salary cap of US$725,000 for player acquisitions. Squad sizes are capped at 19 active players, requiring a careful mix of local talent and international stars.
- Squads must include a minimum of 12 local or Afghan players.
- Playing XIs must feature between three and four overseas players alongside at least seven local cricketers.
- Franchises must select at least one overseas player in both the Platinum and Diamond categories.
Although the Afghanistan Cricket Board previously attempted to run a short-lived version of the league in 2018, this revamped edition is understood to be hosted in the United Arab Emirates to ensure smooth operations and financial stability.
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