KABUL (SW): Afghanistan is set to join the group of leading cricket playing nations orchestrating successful commercial cricket leagues such as the Indian Premier League, Caribbean Premier League, Big Bash League etc.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Thursday inked a landmark deal with Indian firm Snixer Sports to plan and execute the forthcoming Afghanistan T20 Premier League (AT20PL) in the United Arab Emirates in October this year.
ACB and Snixer officials told a gathering in this connection in Kabul today that the event would have five teams featuring top class players from across the world for an initial round-robin format followed by a knockout stage. APL T20 is the sixth global premier league to be formed after the Indian Premier League, Big Bash League, Pakistan Super League, Caribbean Premier League and Bangladesh Premier League.
Snixer would also oversee distribution of media rights to competing television channels from Afghanistan, India and Australia.
Atif Mashal, President ACB, said on the occasion that this major event would not only bring millions of dollars’ worth revenue, but would also lift the experience and skills of the Afghan players who would play alongside some of the best in the world at the AT20PL. Shafiqullah Stanikzai, the Chief Executive Officer of the ACB, hailed this as a dream come true. He stressed the ACB would strive to make this event as one of the best of its sort.
It is worth noticing, the ACB has been organizing a T20 league ‘Shpageeza’ in Kabul for the past six years. In the past two ‘Shpageeza’ events, a number of international players took part.
ENDS
