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:
“The
participation of 25 Afghan players in ILT20 Season 5 is a concrete outcome of
ACB’s strategic alliance with the Emirates Cricket Board. ACB negotiated this
arrangement to secure meaningful participation for our players and extend
professional opportunities to the talent emerging through Afghanistan’s
domestic cricket system.
“We
appreciate the Emirates Cricket Board’s commitment to the alliance and its
fulfillment of the agreed player participation provisions through ILT20.
Honoring these commitments provides a strong basis for continued cooperation
and contributes to the development of cricket in both countries.
“Afghan
players bring proven international quality and competitive strength to the
league. Their involvement also gives our emerging cricketers valuable match
experience, supporting ACB’s wider objectives for player development and the
continued progress of Afghanistan cricket.”
ENDS