Afghanistan Premier League, APL, 2018

[Pakistan Super League]

Afghanistan Premier League first edition is going to kick start on 5 October 2018. League matches will be played in Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE. In APL T20 Cricket league 2018, five teams are participating.

1. Balkh Legends (Mazar Sharif Province)
2. Kabul Zwanan (Kabul Province)
3. Kandahar Knights (Kandahar Province)
4. Nangarhar Leopards (Nangarhar Province)
5. Paktia Panthers (Khost)

Team Squads includes some very prominent T20 players around the world.

Balkh Legends Squad
Chris Gayle (WI), Colin Munro (NZ), Mohammad Nabi (AFG), Ravi Bopara (ENG), Aftab Alam (AFG), Gulbadin Naib (AFG), Mohammad Irfan (PAK), Ben Laughlin (AUS), Kamran Akmal (PAK), Qais Ahmad (AFG), Usman Ghani (AFG), Ikram Alikhel (AFG), Ryan ten Doeschate (NL), Tariq Stanikzai (AFG), Asadullah Matani (AFG), Farhan Zakhil (AFG), Samiullah Salarzai (AFG).

Kabul Zwanan Squad
Rashid Khan (AFG), Luke Ronchi (NZ), Hazratullah Zazai (AFG), Colin Ingram (S.A), Fareed Ahmad (AFG), Javed Ahmadi (AFG), Sohail Tanvir (PAK), Laurie Evans (ENG), Wayne Parnell (S.A), Shahidullah Kamal (AFG), Muslim Musa (AFG), Mohammad Asghar Hotak (AFG), Afsar Zazai (AFG), Zahir Shirzad, Fitratullah Khawre, Shawkat Zaman, Usman Adil.

Kandahar Knights Squad
Brendon McCullum (NZ), Wahab Riaz (PAK), Asghar Afghan Stanikzai (AFG), Paul Stirling (IRE), Najibullah Zadran (AFG), Karim Janat (AFG), Tymal Mills (ENG), Sam Billings (ENG), Iftikhar Ahmed (PAK), Hamza Hotak (AFG), Karim Sadiq (AFG), Sayed Shirzad (AFG), Mohammad Naveed (UAE), Waqar Salamkhel (AFG), Abdul Baqi (AFG), Waheedullah Shafaq (AFG), Waqarullah Ishaq (AFG).

Nangarhar Leopards Squad
Andre Russell (WI), Tamim Iqbal (BNG), Mujeeb Ur Rahman Zadran (AFG), Ben Cutting (AUS), Shafiqullah (AFG), Najeeb Tarakai (AFG), Mitchell McClenaghan (NZ), Mushfiqur Rahim (BNG), Mohammad Hafeez (PAK), Rahmat Shah (AFG), Naveen ul Haq (AFG), Zahir Khan (AFG), Sandeep Lamichhane (Nepal), Fazal Haq (AFG), Imran Janat (AFG), Khaybar Omar (AFG), Nasrat Qureshi (AFG).

Paktia Panthers Squad
Shahid Afridi (PAK), Thisara Perera (SRI), Mohammad Shahzad (AFG), Cameron Delport (SA), Sharafuddin Ashraf (AFG), Samiullah Shenwari (AFG), Chris Jordan (ENG), Faheem Ashraf (PAK), Luke Wright (ENG), Azmatullah Omarzai (AFG), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (AFG), Zia ur Rahman Akbar (AFG), Calum MacLeod (SCOT), Tahir Adil (AFG), Fazal Zazai (AFG), Zia ur Rahman Morkel (AFG), Yosuf Zazai (AFG).

Source : http://pakistansuperleaguepsl.com/afghanistan-premier-league-schedule-teams-squads-apl/

 

[El Loco]

So this is separate from the Shpageeza Cricket League then? Has that been shelved?

 

[Pakistan Super League]

So this is separate from the Shpageeza Cricket League then? Has that been shelved?

It's never mentioned anywhere, but i think Shpageeza Cricket League is now named as "Afghanistan Premier League".

 

[El Loco]

It's never mentioned anywhere, but i think Shpageeza Cricket League is now named as "Afghanistan Premier League".

Did a bit of digging and found this. Looks like the Shpageeza Cricket League won't be affected and will continue to be played alongside this, looks like something akin to the domestic set-up in India where they have the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy but also the IPL as well. Although, the Shpageeza Cricket League was slated to start in June but nothing has come to fruition for some reason.

Any ideas who has the TV rights for this tournament?

 

[Pakistan Super League]

Did a bit of digging and found this. Looks like the Shpageeza Cricket League won't be affected and will continue to be played alongside this, looks like something akin to the domestic set-up in India where they have the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy but also the IPL as well. Although, the Shpageeza Cricket League was slated to start in June but nothing has come to fruition for some reason.

Any ideas who has the TV rights for this tournament?

You are right as per espncricinfo, "Stanikzai also confirmed that the Shpageeza Cricket League would continue to be played. "Shapageeza is a domestic T20 league, and the APL T20 is to be played on top of it. The Shpageeza Cricket League will be played this year, tentatively in June."

DSport has got broadcasting rights for telecasting APL 2018 in India, but not sure about the rest of the world.

 

[El Loco]

You are right as per espncricinfo, "Stanikzai also confirmed that the Shpageeza Cricket League would continue to be played. "Shapageeza is a domestic T20 league, and the APL T20 is to be played on top of it. The Shpageeza Cricket League will be played this year, tentatively in June."

DSport has got broadcasting rights for telecasting APL 2018 in India, but not sure about the rest of the world.

Balkh Legends squad initially looks pretty strong. Who's your money on?

 

[Pakistan Super League]

Balkh Legends squad initially looks pretty strong. Who's your money on?

No doubt Balkh Legends squad is good but Kandahar knights have also got some pretty good T20 squad, especially Brendon McCullum, Sam Billings, Asghar Afghan Stanikzai and Paul Stirling.

 

[Bhumi]

• 
  
  
  APL 2018 Schedule
  Upcoming Matches Schedule
  Date: October 05, 2018
  Match: Kabul vs Paktia, 1st T20
• 
  Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, UAE
  Time: 04:00 PM GMT, 08:00 PM Local, 09:30 PM IST
  
  Date: October 06, 2018
  Match: Nangarhar vs Kandahar, 2nd T20
• 
  Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, UAE
  Time: 12:00 AM GMT, 04:00 PM Local, 05:30 PM IST
  
  Date: October 06, 2018
  Match: Kabul vs Balkh, 3rd T20
  Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, UAE
  Time: 04:00 PM GMT, 08:00 PM Local, 09:30 PM IST
  
  Date: October 07, 2018
  Match: Nangarhar vs Paktia, 4th T20
• 
  Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, UAE
  Time: 12:00 AM GMT, 04:00 PM Local, 05:30 PM IST
  
  Date: October 07, 2018
  Match: Kandahar vs Balkh, 5th T20
• 
  Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, UAE
  Time: 04:00 PM GMT, 08:00 PM Local, 09:30 PM IST
  
  Date: October 09, 2018
  Match: Kabul vs Nangarhar, 6th T20
• 
  Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, UAE
  Time: 04:00 PM GMT, 08:00 PM Local, 09:30 PM IST
  
  Date: October 10, 2018
  Match: Balkh vs Paktia, 7th T20
• 
  Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, UAE
  Time: 04:00 PM GMT, 08:00 PM Local, 09:30 PM IST
  
  Date: October 11, 2018
  Match: Kabul vs Kandahar, 8th T20
  Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, UAE
  Time: 12:00 AM GMT, 04:00 PM Local, 05:30 PM IST
• 
  
  Date: October 11, 2018
  Match: Nangarhar vs Balkh, 9th T20
  Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, UAE
  Time: 04:00 PM GMT, 08:00 PM Local, 09:30 PM IST
• 
  
  Date: October 12, 2018
  Match: Paktia vs Kandahar, 10th T20
  Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, UAE
  Time: 12:00 AM GMT, 04:00 PM Local, 05:30 PM IST
• 
  
  Date: October 12, 2018
  Match: Nangarhar vs Kabul, 11th T20
  Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, UAE
  Time: 04:00 PM GMT, 08:00 PM Local, 09:30 PM IST
• 
  
  Date: October 13, 2018
  Match: Paktia vs Balkh, 12th T20
  Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, UAE
  Time: 12:00 AM GMT, 04:00 PM Local, 05:30 PM IST
• 
  
  Date: October 13, 2018
  Match: Nangarhar vs Kandahar, 13th T20
  Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, UAE
  Time: 04:00 PM GMT, 08:00 PM Local, 09:30 PM IST
• 
  
  Date: October 14, 2018
  Match: Kabul vs Balkh, 14th T20
  Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, UAE
  Time: 12:00 AM GMT, 04:00 PM Local, 05:30 PM IST
  
  Date: October 14, 2018
  Match: Nangarhar vs Paktia, 15th T20
  Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, UAE
  Time: 04:00 PM GMT, 08:00 PM Local, 09:30 PM IST
  
  Date: October 16, 2018
  Match: Kabul vs Kandahar, 16th T20
  Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, UAE
  Time: 04:00 PM GMT, 08:00 PM Local, 09:30 PM IST
  
  Date: October 17, 2018
  Match: Nangarhar vs Balkh, 17th T20
  Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, UAE
  Time: 12:00 AM GMT, 04:00 PM Local, 05:30 PM IST
  
  Date: October 17, 2018
  Match: Kandahar vs Paktia, 18th T20
  Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, UAE
  Time: 04:00 PM GMT, 08:00 PM Local, 09:30 PM IST
  
  Date: October 18, 2018
  Match: Kandahar vs Balkh, 19th T20
  Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, UAE
  Time: 12:00 AM GMT, 04:00 PM Local, 05:30 PM IST
  
  Date: October 18, 2018
  Match: Kabul vs Paktia, 20th T20
  Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, UAE
  Time: 04:00 PM GMT, 08:00 PM Local, 09:30 PM IST
  
  Date: October 19, 2018
  Match: TBA vs TBA, 1st Semi-Final
  Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, UAE
  Time: 04:00 PM GMT, 08:00 PM Local, 09:30 PM IST
  
  Date: October 20, 2018
  Match: TBA vs TBA, 2nd Semi-Final
  Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, UAE
  Time: 04:00 PM GMT, 08:00 PM Local, 09:30 PM IST
  
  Date: October 21, 2018
  Match: TBA vs TBA, Final
  Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, UAE
  Time: 04:00 PM GMT, 08:00 PM Local, 09:30 PM IST
• • 
    

 

[Bhumi]

8 matches at 5.30 pm IST so it's okay to watch in india but
9.30 pm game late

 

[Mijurkat]

APL will bring new talents, especially in batting for Afghanistan. New dawn

 

[El Loco]

Very high scoring match yesterday and a monumental successful chase. Laurie Evans is in the form of his life right now!

 

[WubbaLubbaDubDub]

The only bad thing is that there is basically no crowd at all. Boards really want to think hard about this, PSL had no crowds as well for most of the matches. PSL I understand as they have no option but how about APL moved to a different country? Probably BCCI can give two grounds to ACA and have the matches there. UAE is no longer a viable option as the crowd has been killed with over cricket with UAE PL, APL, PSL the T10 league and the Pakistan international fixtures.

Atleast the good thing is they are broadcasting this on Willow here in USA so I can watch.

 

[Ahmad94]

The only bad thing is that there is basically no crowd at all. Boards really want to think hard about this, PSL had no crowds as well for most of the matches. PSL I understand as they have no option but how about APL moved to a different country? Probably BCCI can give two grounds to ACA and have the matches there. UAE is no longer a viable option as the crowd has been killed with over cricket with UAE PL, APL, PSL the T10 league and the Pakistan international fixtures.

Atleast the good thing is they are broadcasting this on Willow here in USA so I can watch.

Fully agree with you. UAE is so over-saturated with cricket and that too for a place with only three stadiums (Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi). But it comes down to countries not having an option. PSL is aiming to be back in Pakistan completely within a couple of seasons and I assume that would definitely help ASL move back as well as increase crowd retention. But for the moment, it seems largely empty stadiums might be the norm.

 

[WubbaLubbaDubDub]

Fully agree with you. UAE is so over-saturated with cricket and that too for a place with only three stadiums (Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi). But it comes down to countries not having an option. PSL is aiming to be back in Pakistan completely within a couple of seasons and I assume that would definitely help ASL move back as well as increase crowd retention. But for the moment, it seems largely empty stadiums might be the norm.

Exactly, PSL I definitely understand if cannot attract crowds on regular basis since its being played out its own country. UAE Board should be the one making decision on not making UAE over saturated with cricket.

 

[Targaryen]

ACA has been given the home ground by BCCI for their international games. I'm sure BCCI will provide couple of grounds more for APL aswell. I don't know for what reasons APL opted for UAE. Maybe they can offer the grounds at lower maintenance but surely they need to face the issues like empty grounds. On the other hand, Indian grounds seems costly but the investment will have higher returns since there will be huge crowd wanting to see their favourite overseas players.