The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has introduced a new policy to regulate player workload, restricting its cricketers to a maximum of three overseas franchise leagues per year. Senior Afghanistan players, including Rashid Khan, can now play in only three franchise leagues worldwide each year.
The decision was taken during the Annual General Meeting, chaired by ACB Chairman Mirwais Ashraf, at the ACB headquarters in Kabul on Wednesday. Players will also be required to take part in the board’s new five-team franchise-based T20 league, which is scheduled to begin around October 2026 in the UAE.
Afghanistan players BANNED from playing more than 3 International leagues per year
The ACB has introduced a new rule to control player workload and safeguard fitness and mental health. Afghan cricketers will be allowed to play in the Afghanistan Premier League along with only three other overseas leagues in a calendar year.
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“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.”
ACB Introduces New Clause for Coaching Staff
The Afghanistan Cricket Board has decided to add a new clause requiring foreign coaches to visit Afghanistan when needed, allowing domestic players to learn directly from experienced international staff and supporting local talent development.
The board leadership also received praise for restarting the Afghanistan Premier League and launching major infrastructure projects.
The decisions were taken at a meeting attended in person by ACB Chairman Mirwais Ashraf, ACB CEO Naseeb Khan, board member and Kardan University Chancellor Ahmed Khalid Hatim, and board member and ACCI head Khan Jan Alokozay.
Board members Allah Dad Noori, Obaidullah Saderkhel, Attila Kamgar, and Raees Ahmadzai joined the meeting virtually. The new policies may impact the earnings of Afghanistan’s players, including Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, AM Ghazanfar, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
Rashid Khan and Other Afghan Players Active Across Global Leagues
Rashid Khan is one of the most in-demand players in franchise cricket, featuring in leagues across India, the UAE, the United States, South Africa, and England.
Several other Afghanistan players, including Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and teenage spinner AM Ghazanfar, also take part in multiple leagues around the world.
Rashid Khan, the highest wicket-taker in T20 cricket, is currently leading MI Cape Town in the SA20. Afghanistan’s next assignment is a three-match T20I series against West Indies in the UAE, after which they will travel to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Different countries follow different rules for overseas leagues. Pakistan allows centrally contracted players to feature in only two foreign leagues outside the Pakistan Super League, while India does not permit its contracted male players to compete in any overseas leagues.
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