KABUL, Afghanistan — The ninth edition of the Shpageeza T20 Cricket League is set to begin on August 12 in Kabul, the Afghanistan Cricket Board announced.
Five regional teams will compete in a double round-robin format from August 12 to 25 at the Kabul Cricket Stadium. The tournament will kick off with a match between the Speenghar Tigers and the Band-e-Amir Dragons. The other teams, Amo Region, Mis-e-Ainak Region, and Bost Region, will also vie for the title.
A total of 21 matches will be played over 14 days, featuring 10 doubleheaders, and will culminate in a grand finale between the top two teams on August 25.
Naseeb Khan, CEO of the Afghanistan Cricket Board, expressed his excitement for the event. “The Shpageeza Cricket League has become a crucial platform for the emergence of talent and has significantly contributed to the growth of Afghanistan cricket. We understand the importance of this event and are committed to its success through meticulous planning and execution.”
Super Cola Beverages Manufacturing Company has secured the title sponsorship rights for the event, while Etisalat Afghanistan Telecommunication Company has obtained the presenting sponsorship rights. The tournament will be officially named the “XBull Energy Drink Shpageeza Cricket League 2024 Presented by Etisalat.”
Inaugurated in 2013, the Shpageeza Cricket League has seen various champions, with the Speenghar Tigers winning three titles, the Mis-e-Ainak Knights and Kabul Eagles each winning twice, and the Band-e-Amir Dragons, led by Rashid Khan, winning once in 2017. The Mis-e-Ainak Knights have reached the finals five times, making them the most successful team in the league’s history.
The Shpageeza Cricket League is a significant part of Afghanistan’s domestic cricket structure and plays a crucial role in the sport’s growth in the country. The tournament will be followed by the seventh edition of the Ahmad Shah Abdali First Class Tournament in September.
