Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir has secured a place in the upcoming Afghanistan Premier League (APL), with Kandahar Warriors selecting him in the Platinum category during Tuesday’s players’ draft.
Amir, who obtained British citizenship in May this year and is currently based in England, was the franchise’s first pick, ahead of experienced Afghanistan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi. Having registered for the tournament as a British national, he could also avoid the requirement of obtaining a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
His selection comes as the participation of other Pakistani cricketers in the tournament remains uncertain. More than 30 players from Pakistan, including Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Hasan Ali, Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf and Imad Wasim, have registered for the draft.
However, reported diplomatic tensions between Islamabad and Kabul could complicate their participation. Media reports suggest the PCB is unlikely to grant NOCs to Pakistani players, while the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has made it clear that PCB clearance is necessary for them to feature in the league.
Amir, meanwhile, is no stranger to franchise cricket. Over the years, he has played in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Lanka Premier League (LPL), International League T20 (ILT20) and The Hundred.
The left-arm pacer has claimed 440 wickets in 378 T20 matches, maintaining an average of 22.72 and an economy rate of 7.38. He also represented Pakistan in 36 Tests, 61 ODIs and 62 T20Is, with his final international appearance coming against Ireland at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in June 2024.
The APL will feature five franchises, each permitted to sign up to 18 players, including 11 to 12 Afghan and six to seven overseas cricketers. Platinum picks will earn $100,000, while salaries in the remaining categories range from $65,000 to $10,000. Each franchise will have a player budget of $650,000 to $750,000.
