Several Afghan cricketers have expressed frustration and disappointment following the Afghanistan Premier League (APL) 2026 Player Draft, raising questions about player selection, fairness and transparency in the competition.
The Player Draft, held on 3 November 2026, saw franchises select players for the upcoming tournament. However, several Afghan cricketers who registered for the draft were not selected by any of the five franchises.
Among the Afghan players who reportedly remained unselected were Najibullah Zadran, Shahid Kamal, Mohammad Ishaq Rahimi, Naveed Zadran, Wafiullah Tarakhel, Noor Rahman, Faridoon Dawoodzai, Bilal Sami, Bashir Ahmad, Arab Gul, Riaz Hasan, Wafadar, Abdul Malik and Ibrahim Abdurrahimzai, among others.
Players Express Disappointment on Social Media
The outcome prompted reactions from several Afghan cricketers, who took to social media to express their disappointment and concerns about the selection process.
Afghanistan international cricketer Najibullah Zadran questioned how a national team player could remain unselected in the country’s premier T20 competition.
“Why was this national team player not picked? And why was this player selected for the national team in the first place?” he wrote.
Riaz Hasan also expressed his disappointment, saying he had entrusted what he considered an injustice to God.
“Whatever happened to me unjustly, I have entrusted it to Allah. No one’s rights are lost in His court,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, Tariq Stanikzai posted a particularly concerning message about his future in Afghan cricket, writing: “I think the time has come to leave Afghanistan!!!!!”
Wafiullah Tarakhel criticised the league in a sarcastic post, referring to it as the “Andiwali Premier League” rather than the Afghanistan Premier League, an apparent reference to concerns about favouritism and personal connections in the selection process.
Mohammad Ishaq Rahimi shared a religious message about patience, writing: “Indeed, Allah is with those who are patient.”
Faridoon Dawoodzai also appeared to express frustration with the outcome, posting: “Good Night APL. Has anyone’s friend been left behind?”
APL’s Previous Controversies Raise Questions
The latest reactions come against the backdrop of previous controversies surrounding the Afghanistan Premier League.
The competition’s first edition was held in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, in 2018. However, it subsequently faced serious financial and integrity-related problems.
In September 2019, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) terminated its commercial and sanctioning agreement with Snixer Sports, the company involved in organising the league. The board cited the failure to pay the full rights fees for the first edition and concerns about risks to the league’s integrity.
The ACB also referred allegations relating to administrative and financial irregularities to the relevant authorities for investigation.
In May 2020, Afghan cricketer Shafiqullah Shafaq received a six-year ban after admitting to breaches of anti-corruption regulations relating to the 2018 APL and the 2019 Bangladesh Premier League.
These controversies contributed to the original competition being discontinued after just one season.
The league’s return in 2026 has therefore brought renewed expectations for transparency, accountability and professional management.
The Afghan Times Seeks Response from APL Organisers
Following the concerns raised by players, The Afghan Times contacted the APL organisers to seek their perspective and clarification on the selection process.
The publication submitted questions regarding the criteria used by franchises to select players, the organisers’ response to concerns about fairness and transparency, and the measures in place to ensure Afghan cricketers receive fair opportunities in the competition.
However, the APL organisers did not respond to The Afghan Times’ request for comment before publication.
Questions Remain Over Player Selection
While franchise selections are influenced by team strategies, budgets and squad requirements, the reactions from Afghan players have raised questions about the opportunities available to domestic talent.
There is currently no publicly established evidence that corruption or favouritism influenced the 2026 Player Draft. Nevertheless, the concerns expressed by players highlight the importance of transparent selection procedures and accountability.
For many Afghan cricketers, the APL represents an important opportunity to secure professional contracts, gain exposure and develop their careers.
The organisers’ response to these concerns will be important in building players’ confidence in the competition.
