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The upcoming Afghanistan Premier League (APL) has already created a massive buzz in the cricket world, with several big international names joining its inaugural season. England stars Moeen Ali and Alex Hales were among eight English players picked in the player draft.
However, the England players’ participation is still uncertain, as the Afghanistan Premier League (APL) is yet to receive approval from the International Cricket Council (ICC). Another reason is that the tournament is organised in Afghanistan. Amid this, WPL 2027 schedule has been announced: RCB to face MI in the opening fixture.
Eight England players signed for Afghanistan Premier League but ICC approval is still pending
It is being said that eight England players have been picked in the Afghanistan Premier League player draft earlier this week. Apart from Moeen Ali and Alex Hales, Joe Clarke, Tymal Mills, Olly Stone, Luke Wood, Tom Moores and Chris Wood were the other English players signed in Tuesday's draft.
None of these eight players currently has a central contract with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). However, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has not yet sanctioned the Afghanistan Premier League.
The approval process is still going on, with the governing body checking important requirements such as anti-corruption and anti-doping arrangements before giving the green signal. There is also uncertainty over the ownership of all five franchises.
ECB reluctant to issue NOCs to England players for Afghanistan Premier League
Only three teams have been sold so far, while Team Paktia and Team Balkh were given temporary names during the draft. ICC rules require the concerned cricket board, which means the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), to provide complete details of franchise owners while applying for approval.
Another issue is that the ECB has concerns over the Taliban government's treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan. It is being said that the ECB will reluctantly provide NOCs to English players to avoid possible legal issues related to restricting their professional opportunities.
Although the ECB is expected to issue No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) to its players, their participation will depend on the ICC granting official approval to the league. Amid this, World Record Alert! Virat Kohli breaks Sachin Tendulkar's major records with batting brilliance vs NZ.
English players face backlash over APL participation as ECB's moral stand against Afghanistan puts them under pressure
The decision of English players to play in the tournament has attracted massive criticism because of Afghanistan's political situation. ECB managing director Rob Key had previously urged players to take a moral stand and explicitly stated that he would not participate in the APL league due to the treatment of women in Afghanistan.
The ECB has also refused to play bilateral cricket against Afghanistan over the Taliban government's restrictions on women and girls. United Nations experts have described the situation as gender apartheid. Before the players' draft, Ollie Pope, Will Smeed and David Willey had already withdrawn their names following criticism of their possible involvement.
Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi, who led calls for England to boycott their Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan last year, also urged players to think seriously about the consequences of joining the competition. Cricket Scotland is expected to follow a similar approach to the ECB in this regard.
