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Koh-e-Zafar Trophy and Three Franchises Unveiled for APL T20

The Koh-e-Zafar trophy and the first three APL franchises were unveiled in Dubai on 25 August 2026, four months before the tournament starts.

By Saleem Sial · Published · Updated

The Koh-e-Zafar trophy being unveiled on stage in Dubai

Key takeaways

  • The trophy for the 2026 season is called Koh-e-Zafar.
  • The three franchises named at the unveiling were Akcel United Kabul, Balkh Zwanan and Kandahar Warriors.
  • ACB chairman Mirwais Ashraf led the unveiling in Dubai on 25 August 2026.
  • Player registration opened on 30 August 2026. The draft was first set for 27 September, then moved to 3 November.

The Afghanistan Premier League unveiled the Koh-e-Zafar trophy and named its first three franchises in Dubai on 25 August 2026. The clubs are Akcel United Kabul, Balkh Zwanan and Kandahar Warriors. ACB chairman Mirwais Ashraf led the unveiling.

Three clubs were named on the day, and two more followed. Nangarhar Cosmic and Paktia were confirmed later, which brought the league to its five teams. The squads for all five were settled at the draft on 3 November in Dubai, and the full lists are on the teams page and in the squads report.

The Koh-e-Zafar is the trophy for the 2026 season. It was shown with the three franchises in Dubai, and it will be the trophy the five clubs play for when the tournament starts on 27 December 2026. The 2018 season ended with Balkh Legends as champions, but no trophy name from that season is on record.

The unveiling also set the next dates. Player registration opened on 30 August 2026. The draft was first set for 27 September 2026, but that date moved, and the draft was held on 3 November 2026 in Dubai, with 90 players picked across 18 rounds.

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