Eight English Players Drafted for Afghanistan League
The Afghanistan Premier League held its player draft in Dubai, with eight English players selected despite political backlash.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Soccer
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Eight English players were drafted for the Afghanistan Premier League during a player draft held in Dubai on November 3. The revived T20 franchise tournament is set to return on December 27 in the United Arab Emirates after an eight-year hiatus.
Why it matters
England players faced heavy backlash over their association with a Taliban-led nation, and England have refused to schedule bilateral series against Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Ollie Pope, Will Smeed and David Willey withdrew from the draft in October.
The draft data shows eight English players selected across five newly formed franchise squads, a tournament reviving after eight years. The ICC has not yet sanctioned the inaugural league, and it remains unclear whether the event will receive official recognition.
The players
Afghanistan Premier League
A revived T20 franchise cricket tournament returning after an eight-year hiatus, based in the Afghan cricket ecosystem and operated from the United Arab Emirates.
Moeen Ali
An England all-rounder who was selected by Team Balkh in the Platinum category of the draft.
Alex Hales
A former England opening batter who was selected by Nangarhar Cosmic in the Platinum category.
The details
Joe Clarke was picked by Kandahar Warriors, while Alex Hales was selected by Nangarhar Cosmic in the Platinum category and Moeen Ali went to Team Balkh. Tymal Mills, Luke Wood and Chris Wood were also chosen by various franchises, with Tom Moores and Olly Stone selected by Team Balkh and Team Paktia respectively.
Timeline
2021: Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan.
October 2026: Ollie Pope withdrew from the draft list.
November 3, 2026: Afghanistan Premier League player draft held in Dubai.
December 27, 2026: Afghanistan Premier League set to return in the UAE.
Season Trajectory
The revival of the Afghanistan Premier League follows England's refusal to schedule bilateral series with Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. The draft participation of English players marks a departure from that policy stance, testing how far cricket's international ties can extend despite the political rift.
Fantasy managers and cricket followers can track which English players are now contracted to APL franchises. The December 27 start date sets the schedule for anyone planning to follow the tournament.
The takeaway
The draft shows how political tensions can reshape which players and leagues cross borders, even as official bodies remain cautious. Readers can watch whether the ICC sanctions the tournament, a decision that would signal how the wider cricket world responds.
What happens next
The Afghanistan Premier League is set to return on December 27, 2026, in the United Arab Emirates, when the tournament begins.
Further reading
For more on the sport's wider competitive landscape, see Soccer.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Cricket Paper.
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Should English cricketers be allowed to play in the Afghanistan Premier League?
