25 Afghan players have bagged contracts across the six DP World ILT20 franchises for Season 5, a move that feels like a giant leap for the nation’s cricket ambitions.
The auction turned into a showcase when Fazalhaq Farooqi and Rahmanullah Gurbaz snatched record‑amount deals, sending shockwaves through the market and putting Afghanistan on the global pay‑roll map.
The partnership between the Afghanistan Cricket Board, Emirates Cricket Board and ILT20 mandated that every franchise field at least four Afghan players, and that every playing XI include a minimum of two. This rule, coupled with the auction’s fierce interest, created a structured pipeline from squad to match for emerging stars and seasoned internationals alike.
ACB chief Naseeb Khan Zadran praised ILT20 chairman Khalid Al Zarooni and league commissioner Mubashshir Usmani for “inspirational” vision, calling the alliance an “incredible start” that will keep Afghan cricketers in the spotlight and inspire a new generation.
With contracts signed and a clear path to professional play, Afghan cricketers now have a tangible goal ahead of them. The next hurdle? Performing on the UAE stage and translating these contracts into match‑day success for their national side.