Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir has registered for the Afghanistan Premier League (APL) player draft as a UK national, potentially placing him in a different position from more than 30 Pakistani cricketers whose participation could depend on clearance from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
The 34-year-old, who acquired British citizenship earlier this year, has been included in the Platinum category for the five-team competition’s player draft, taking place today (November 3) in Dubai.
His registration has also prompted speculation about a possible appearance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2027 auction as a British national, although Amir has since publicly rejected those reports.
PCB unlikely to issue NOCs for Afghanistan Premier League
According to a report by Cricbuzz journalist Vijay Tagore, Amir is listed as a UK national in the APL draft register, with Pakistan recorded as his country of residence. His British nationality could mean he does not require a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the PCB to participate.
The position is less straightforward for Pakistani players registered for the competition, with the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) making their availability conditional on obtaining NOCs from the PCB.
More than 30 Pakistani cricketers are reportedly included in the draft pool, among them Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Hasan Ali, Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf and Imad Wasim.
Amid strained diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, a PCB Spokesperson indicated that the board was unlikely to grant the necessary clearances, telling Cricbuzz, “I don’t think so.”
Reports have also suggested that some NOC requests may already have been rejected, although the full extent of any decisions has not been confirmed.
For the APL’s organisers, the uncertainty could affect the availability of a significant group of overseas players ahead of the tournament’s planned December launch.
British citizenship raises IPL speculation before Amir’s denial
Amir’s registration under British nationality also generated reports that he could seek entry into the IPL 2027 auction, potentially using the same nationality route previously taken by another former Pakistan international.
Azhar Mahmood played in the IPL for Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders between 2012 and 2015 while holding a British passport, despite the effective exclusion of Pakistani nationals from the competition following the 2008 season.
Amir obtained British citizenship in May 2026 through his marriage to UK citizen and lawyer Narjis Khan. His new status has already changed how he is classified in English domestic cricket, where he has represented Nottinghamshire in the T20 Blast and played in The Hundred.
He is now treated as a domestic player in English cricket rather than an overseas signing. His British nationality is also expected to affect his classification in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he would be considered an overseas player.
However, Amir rejected the reports about his potential IPL participation in a post on X, writing, “Hi everyone just wanted to clarify news regarding IPL is not true.”
Hi everyone just wanted to clarify news regarding IPL is not true.
— Mohammad Amir (@iamamirofficial) November 2, 2026
His statement directly addressed the speculation about entering the IPL auction. It does not alter his reported registration for the APL draft.
APL draft attracts international players despite clearance uncertainty
The revived Afghanistan Premier League has shortlisted 462 players from approximately 1,500 registrations, with five franchises preparing to assemble their squads.
Alongside Amir, the draft includes former India internationals Vijay Shankar and KS Bharat, as well as Murugan Ashwin, who are listed in the Gold category. Vijay Shankar and KS Bharat have retired from all forms of cricket, including the IPL.
Other registered players with Indian connections include Unmukt Chand, who is listed under the United States, and several players representing or residing in countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kenya and Kuwait.
The competition will also feature leading Afghanistan cricketers, including Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Azmatullah Omarzai, Ibrahim Zadran and Noor Ahmad.
Five franchises will compete in the tournament, with Rashid Khan leading Kandahar, Ibrahim Zadran captaining Balkh, Azmatullah Omarzai heading Kabul, Rahmat Shah leading Paktia and Rahmanullah Gurbaz captaining Nangarhar.
Player salaries and franchise investment underline APL ambitions
The APL’s draft categories provide a defined remuneration structure for participating cricketers, with Platinum players valued at USD 100,000, Diamond at USD 65,000, Gold at USD 40,000, Silver at USD 20,000 and Emerging at USD 10,000.
Each franchise will operate under a USD 725,000 player salary cap, with squads combining Afghan cricketers and a limited number of overseas recruits.
The tournament’s commercial rights holder, ITW Universe, has positioned the competition as an opportunity to build on Afghanistan’s rise in international cricket.
Bhairav Shanth of ITW Universe said, “Afghanistan is now the number two cricket team in Asia after India, and the APL gives that rise the home league it deserves. The franchise owners coming on board have global pedigree, and they share our belief in the talent and passion of Afghan cricket. APL 2026 will be a world-class tournament, and this is only the beginning.”
The competition is scheduled to begin on December 27, with the revamped tournament expected to be staged in the United Arab Emirates.
For Amir, the immediate question is whether he will be selected in the APL draft. For the Pakistani players registered alongside him, participation remains dependent on the PCB’s position on NOCs, making player availability a significant issue for the league as it prepares for its return.
