The Journey of Afghanistan Cricket: How they changed their fate in the game

Inaugural Edition of the Afghanistan Premier League

The Balkh Legends emerged as the Winners of the Afghanistan Premier League 2018

One of the major milestones for Afghanistan cricket came with the inaugural edition of the Afghanistan Premier League which took place in the United Arab Emirates. A country which, less than 10 years ago, had received its status as an ODI nation was now organizing a global T20 event. This speaks volumes of the development of Afghanistan cricket in such a short span of time.

The Afghanistan Premier League was organized by the Afghanistan Cricket Board from the 5th to 21st of October, 2018. It comprised of 5 teams which were as follows:

1. Balkh Legends - coached by Simon Helmot and captained by Mohammad Nabi

2. Kabul Zwanan – coached by Heath Streak and captained by Rashid Khan

3. Kandahar Knights - coached by Kabir Ali and captained by Asghar Afghan

4. Nangarhar Leopards - coached by Venkatesh Prasad and captained by Ben Cutting

5. Paktia Panthers - coached by Dawlat Ahmadzai and captained by Mohammad Shahzad

The inaugural editions comprised of stars like Chris Gayle, Shahid Afridi, and Brendon McCullum. The tournament also witnessed 6 sixes in an over. Haratullah Zazai of Kabul Zwanan smashed 6 sixes off Abdullah Mazari. With these 6 sixes, he even equalled the record for the fastest T20 fifty which came off just 12 balls. He also ended as the second highest run-getter in the tournament with 322 runs.

The tournament was won by the Balkh Legends captained by Mohammad Nabi who dominated the entire tournament with 6 wins off 8 games. They beat the Kabul Zwanan by 4 wickets to lift the trophy.

Mohammad Shahzad the explosive opener of the Afghanistan team ended up as the highest run-getter with 344 runs at an average of 43. The Sri Lankan, Isuru Udana of Paktia Panthers ended as the highest wicket-taker of the tournament with 17 wickets.