The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), led by Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, has refused to allow Pakistani cricketers and coaches to participate in the upcoming Afghanistan Premier League (APL) 2026.
The decision follows direct instructions from the Pakistan government amid escalating diplomatic and political tensions between the two neighbouring nations. Consequently, the PCB will not issue mandatory No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to any current or former national team players.
Two APL franchises, Balkh Zwanan and Kandahar Warriors, had recently approached four Pakistani cricketers for playing contracts and two former players for coaching roles ahead of the 2026 edition. However, all six approaches failed after the government instructed the board to block all involvement. PCB sources confirmed that players have been explicitly informed that no association with the Afghan T20 tournament will be permitted.
The move comes after several leading Afghanistan stars, including Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Seddiqullah Atal and Waqar Salamkheil, withdrew from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 auction. Gurbaz pulled out of his direct signing with Peshawar Zalmi citing personal commitments, before the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) imposed strict limits restricting its players to three overseas T20 leagues per year, effectively excluding the PSL and Bangladesh Premier League.
Cricketing ties between the two countries have deteriorated alongside worsening border disputes, military operations and long-standing political friction over the Durand Line. With cross-border tensions rising since early 2026, the diplomatic rift has now firmly spilled over onto the cricket pitch.
