Afghanistan Premier League T20 is launched. [Source - ACB]The Afghanistan Premier League has officially been launched ahead of its first season, adding another major T20 league to the cricket calendar. The new competition is now set to enter a busy period of the cricketing year.However, its planned start date could create a challenge for some of the other major T20 leagues taking place around the same time. The timing could lead to an interesting battle for players, attention and viewership.Afghanistan Premier League T20 Start Date and Three Franchises SoldThe Afghanistan Premier League T20 will start on December 27, 2026, with the tournament set to be played in the UAE. The Afghanistan Cricket Board had earlier confirmed that the league would be hosted outside Afghanistan.According to Cricbuzz, five teams are expected to feature in the competition, with three franchises sold so far. Axcel United Kabul, Balkh Zwanan and Kandahar Warriors are the three teams announced for the inaugural season.The three franchises were introduced at an event in Dubai ahead of the league's launch. Balkh Zwanan will look to promote young talent from northern Afghanistan, while Kandahar Warriors will focus on an aggressive identity and strong support from their region.Also Read: Cricket Australia's Plan To Grow BBL As Big As IPL Faces Major SetbackAfghanistan Premier League Player Registration and Draft DetailsThe Afghanistan Premier League T20 is now moving towards the player selection stage, with the registration process set to start soon. Players interested in featuring in the inaugural season will be able to register themselves for the draft. The player registration platform will open on August 30, while the Afghanistan Premier League T20 draft is scheduled to take place on September 27. The draft will give the franchises their chance to build squads ahead of the league's first season.With the registration and draft dates confirmed, the league is now moving ahead with its preparations. However, its December start is set to clash with some of the biggest franchise leagues, making its arrival an interesting one on the packed T20 calendar.Afghanistan Premier League to Clash With SA20 and Big Bash LeagueThe December 27 start date puts the Afghanistan Premier League T20 in the middle of the international franchise calendar. At the same time, several major leagues will be underway, giving players more options and creating competition for attention.The SA20 is played during this period, while the Big Bash League is also underway in Australia. With the Afghanistan Premier League entering the same window, attracting overseas players could become a challenge for these established competitions.The clash could also divide the attention of cricket fans, especially those who follow multiple T20 leagues. For Afghanistan Premier League, its December start will be a major challenge, while SA20 and BBL could also face competition for players and viewers.Also Read: Mitchell Starc Claims Number 1 Spot In ICC Rankings, Dethrones Jasprit Bumrah
