Afghanistan’s premier domestic T20 cricket tournament will be held outside Kabul for the first time this year, with the 11th edition of the Shpageeza Cricket League set to begin on July 1 in the southeastern province of Khost.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced that the tournament will run from July 1 to July 14 at Rahmat Wali Masroor Cricket Ground, marking a significant shift for a competition that has traditionally been staged in the capital.
Five regional teams will compete in a double round-robin format, with the top two sides advancing to the final on July 14.
Defending champions Amo Sharks will face Band-e-Amir Dragons in the opening match. The other teams participating are Mis-e-Ainak Knights, Bost Defenders and Speenghar Tigers.
A total of 21 matches will be played during the 14-day tournament.
The Shpageeza League, launched in 2013 during the rapid rise of Twenty20 cricket worldwide, has become the centerpiece of Afghanistan’s domestic cricket calendar and an important platform for identifying and developing talent.
Over the past decade, many of Afghanistan’s national team players, including some of the country’s biggest stars, have emerged through the tournament.
Among the participating teams, Speenghar Tigers are the most successful, having won three titles. Mis-e-Ainak Knights, Amo Sharks and Kabul Eagles have each claimed two championships, while Band-e-Amir Dragons, led by Rashid Khan, won the title in 2017.
Mis-e-Ainak Knights hold the record for the most appearances in the final, reaching the championship match five times.
The tournament comes at a busy time for Afghan cricket. Earlier this week, Afghanistan concluded a one-day international series against India, while preparations are underway for the Ahmad Shah Abdali First-Class Tournament, scheduled to begin in September.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board said the Shpageeza League remains a key part of the country’s domestic cricket structure and is expected to play an important role in strengthening the sport’s development across Afghanistan.
The tournament will be held under the title “e& Shpageeza Cricket League 2026.
For cricket fans in Khost, the event will offer a rare opportunity to watch some of Afghanistan’s leading domestic players compete on home soil, as the country continues efforts to expand major sporting events beyond Kabul.
