England players are set to receive No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) to participate in the inaugural Afghanistan Premier League T20, provided the new competition secures the required ICC sanction, according to multiple sources.
The decision opens the door for a sizeable group of English cricketers already registered for the APL, including centrally contracted players Ollie Pope and Luke Wood. The five-team tournament is scheduled to begin on December 27 in the UAE, with its delayed player draft now set for October 24.
ECB separates franchise cricket from bilateral policy
The ECB’s approach to the APL draws a distinction between participation in independently organised overseas franchise competitions and its position on bilateral cricket involving Afghanistan.
England have not played Afghanistan in a bilateral series, with the ECB maintaining that it will not arrange such fixtures while Afghanistan does not have a women’s national team. The board has also publicly condemned the treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan and previously called for cricket’s response to the issue to be coordinated internationally rather than pursued through unilateral action.
That stance prompted uncertainty over whether English players would be cleared for a league organised in partnership with the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB). The Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) had also been unclear about how the existing policy would apply to NOC requests for the competition.
The APL, however, is set to be considered under the ECB’s framework for overseas franchise tournaments rather than its bilateral policy. BBC Sport reported that the ACB has applied to the ICC for approval to stage the tournament and that the application is currently under consideration.
English players face calls to reconsider APL participation
The prospect of English players taking part has also attracted political and human-rights criticism in the UK, adding another dimension to the debate surrounding the tournament.
Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi, who led calls for England to boycott their 2025 Champions Trophy fixture against Afghanistan and was behind a cross-party letter signed by 200 MPs, told BBC Sport: “Why are we here again? Women and girls in Afghanistan are denied the same rights as those in our country, and the women’s team lives in exile.”
“Does that not concern the players, especially those with daughters, sisters or mothers?”
“I hope the ICC refuses to sanction this event. Continuing to allow Afghanistan full-member status makes a mockery of its own membership criteria.”
Amnesty International’s Felix Jakens also addressed the potential involvement of English players, saying: “Since 2021, Afghan women have been banned from playing sport, and girls remain barred from education beyond the age of 11.”
“Any English player considering the APL, and the ECB weighing their NOCs, should ask what message that sends to those girls.”
“And they should use their platform and influence to demand the Taliban reverse its assault on women’s rights, not stay silent while it continues.”
Pope and Wood among English players registered
Pope and Wood, who both hold ECB central contracts for 2025-26, are among several English players to have registered ahead of the inaugural season.
The list also includes James Vince, Moeen Ali, Jason Roy, Reece Topley, Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Laurie Evans, giving the new competition a significant pool of established English talent ahead of its first draft. Irish and Scottish players have also registered, including Jai Moondra and Brandon McMullen.
The draft was initially scheduled for September 27 before being moved to October 24. The APL itself is being run by the ACB alongside promoters Trans Group and ITW Universe.
While the inaugural edition will take place in the UAE, the league’s promotional material has indicated an ambition to eventually stage matches at Kabul International Cricket Stadium.
Afghanistan players already active in English competitions
The NOC position also comes against a backdrop of Afghanistan internationals continuing to participate in ECB-sanctioned domestic competitions.
Rashid Khan represented MI London and Noor Ahmad played for Manchester Super Giants in The Hundred this year, while Fazalhaq Farooqi featured for Glamorgan in the T20 Blast.
Separately, the ECB is involved in efforts to support displaced Afghan women cricketers. The Afghan women’s refugee team has continued playing outside Afghanistan with financial support involving the ICC and the boards of England, India and Australia.
The ICC extended its funding for the team until 2032 in July and strengthened its commitment to creating opportunities for the players to participate in qualification events in the future.
For the English players registered for the APL, participation ultimately remains conditional on the competition receiving ICC approval. With the ACB’s application now under consideration, that decision will determine whether the ECB’s anticipated NOCs can translate into English involvement when the tournament begins in December.
