Kabul, 5 October 2026: The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has secured the participation of 25 Afghan players across the six DP World ILT20 Season 5 franchise squads through its strategic alliance with the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB). The selections fulfill the player participation commitments agreed between the two boards.
Number of Afghan Players Featuring in the DP World ILT20 Season 5
Under the agreed arrangement, each franchise must include at least four Afghan players in its squad, while the Season 5 playing conditions require a minimum of two Afghan players in each playing XI. These provisions establish defined places for Afghan cricketers in both franchise squads and match lineups.
The
auction attracted strong interest in Afghan players, with Fazalhaq Farooqi and
Rahmanullah Gurbaz among the leading signings. The involvement of established
internationals alongside emerging Afghan players reflects the depth of
Afghanistan’s cricket talent and the contribution its players bring to the
league.
As
an ICC Full Member, ACB continues to pursue strategic partnerships that advance
the interests of Afghanistan cricket and create sustained professional pathways
for its players. The alliance with ECB supports these priorities while strengthening
cricket cooperation between Afghanistan and the UAE.
ACB
Chief Executive Officer Naseeb Khan Zadran said:
We are delighted at the outcomes of the hugely successful DP World ILT20 Season 5 Player Auction. The auction has raised the profile of Afghanistan cricket and players like never before. A total of 25 Afghanistan players have earned contracts with the DP World ILT20 franchises with Fazalhaq Farooqi and Rahmanullah Gurbaz earning record amounts of money through their massive bidding amounts.
“This opportunity for our players is a result of our incredible partnership with the DP World ILT20 and the Emirates Cricket Board. We reached a strategic decision with them earlier this year with an aim of further expanding the game in Afghanistan through the ILT20/ECB’s support. I want to take this opportunity to thank the Chairman ILT20 Khalid Al Zarooni and League Commissioner Mubashshir Usmani who were instrumental in the implementation and execution of this partnership.
“Mr. Zarooni and Mr. Mubashshir’s vison for the growth of the game is truly inspirational which is proven by the ILT20’s game-changing approach for both Associate Members and Full Members like Afghanistan. We are off to an incredible start in our partnership, and we have full confidence that this partnership will continue to support our players and inspire a new generation of Afghanistan stars.
ENDS