The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has approved a new policy limiting top national players to a maximum of three franchise foreign leagues per year. The move, announced following the board’s annual general meeting in Kabul on Wednesday, also mandates players’ availability for a rebooted domestic competition.
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ACB officials said the decision is aimed at protecting player fitness and mental well-being. “This measure aims to manage workload and ensure peak performance for national duties,” the statement added.
ACB’s Annual General Meeting Held in Kabul
The meeting was chaired by ACB Chairman Mr. @MirwaisAshraf16 and focused on reviewing the achievements of the past year (2025) and approving strategic plans for the upcoming year (2026).
More: https://t.co/fWeTlEcRL6 pic.twitter.com/L9nK0orMOV
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) January 14, 2026
Star all-rounder Rashid Khan, who currently plays in leagues across India, the UAE, the United States, South Africa, and England, will now be restricted to just three foreign tournaments annually. Other top players, including Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and teenager AM Ghazanfar, are also impacted by the new rule.
All players must be available for the Afghanistan Premier League, which is slated to launch in October 2026 in the United Arab Emirates. The domestic competition is part of the board’s broader effort to strengthen cricket at home and ensure national team readiness.
Similar caps exist in other cricketing nations. Pakistan restricts centrally contracted players to two foreign leagues outside the Pakistan Super League, while India prohibits its contracted male players from participating in any overseas leagues.
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The ACB said the policy will help balance players’ international exposure with national commitments, supporting both long-term performance and player health.