What Is the Afghanistan Premier League? APL Explained
Five city teams, a December start in the UAE, and one finished season back in 2018. The rest is still being written.
2018 club
Balkh Legends – APL 2018 squad and record
Balkh Legends are the only champions the Afghanistan Premier League has had. In the 2018 season, played entirely at Sharjah Cricket Stadium from 5 to 21 October, they won six of eight league matches, posted the season's highest total, and beat Kabul Zwanan by four wickets in the final. Mohammad Nabi captained the side.
Quick Facts
- City
- Balkh
- Captain
- Mohammad Nabi
- Head coach
- Not listed for 2018
- Mentor
- Not listed
- Debut season
- 2018
- Titles
- 2018 champions
- Home ground
- Sharjah Cricket Stadium
- Owner
- Not listed
- Squad size
- See below
Balkh Legends 2018 season
Legends topped the league table with 12 points from six wins and two defeats, at a net run rate of +0.782. The high point of the league stage came on 14 October, when they posted 244 for 6 against Kabul Zwanan, the highest total of the season, and won by 21 runs. Their two defeats both came against sides that finished in the top four: Paktia Panthers beat them by 37 runs on 10 October, and Nangarhar Leopards beat them by six wickets on 17 October.
The knockouts were one-sided until the final. Legends made 235 for 5 in the semi-final on 19 October and bowled Nangarhar Leopards out for 64, winning by 171 runs. Two days later they chased Kabul Zwanan's 132 for 9 with 138 for 6 in 18.1 overs to take the title. They are not the 2026 club called Balkh Zwanan: the city is shared, but the trophy stays with the 2018 side.
Balkh Legends 2018 scores
All 10 matches below were played at Sharjah Cricket Stadium in October 2018.
| Date | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Oct 2018 | Kabul Zwanan 176/6 (20) v Balkh Legends 177/2 (18.5) | Balkh Legends won by 8 wickets |
| 7 Oct 2018 | Balkh Legends 165/5 (20) v Kandahar Knights 152/7 (20) | Balkh Legends won by 13 runs |
| 10 Oct 2018 | Paktia Panthers 204/4 (20) v Balkh Legends 167 (19) | Paktia Panthers won by 37 runs |
| 11 Oct 2018 | Balkh Legends 143/7 (20) v Nangarhar Leopards 118 (19.1) | Balkh Legends won by 25 runs |
| 13 Oct 2018 | Balkh Legends 195/4 (20) v Paktia Panthers 106 (15.2) | Balkh Legends won by 89 runs |
| 14 Oct 2018 | Balkh Legends 244/6 (20) v Kabul Zwanan 223/7 (20) | Balkh Legends won by 21 runs |
| 17 Oct 2018 | Balkh Legends 133/7 (20) v Nangarhar Leopards 134/4 (18) | Nangarhar Leopards won by 6 wickets |
| 18 Oct 2018 | Kandahar Knights 141/9 (20) v Balkh Legends 142/4 (17.5) | Balkh Legends won by 6 wickets |
| 19 Oct 2018 — semi-final | Balkh Legends 235/5 (20) v Nangarhar Leopards 64 (13.1) | Balkh Legends won by 171 runs |
| 21 Oct 2018 — final | Kabul Zwanan 132/9 (20) v Balkh Legends 138/6 (18.1) | Balkh Legends won by 4 wickets |
Balkh Legends players who defined 2018
Three names carry the Legends' season. Chris Gayle made 315 runs in the tournament, including 56 off 34 balls in the final. Qais Ahmad took 5 for 18 in the final and was named player of the match. Ryan ten Doeschate finished fifth on the run list with 274. In the semi-final, captain Mohammad Nabi made 47 off 16 balls and took four wickets.
Balkh Legends 2018 squad
| Player | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Mohammad Nabi | All-rounder | Balkh Legends captain |
| Chris Gayle | Batter | 315 |
| Qais Ahmad | Bowler | 5/18 off 4 overs |
| Ryan ten Doeschate | Batter | 274 |
Balkh Legends 2018 record
2018 champions. Every match was played in Sharjah in October 2018.
Balkh Legends latest news
APL 2026 Venues: UAE Hosts, Grounds Not Yet Named
The 2018 season lived at one ground. The 2026 season has a country, not yet a street address.
APL 2018 Records: Shahzad 344, Zazai 124, Qais 5/18
Until December there is only one record book, and it is short enough to memorise.
Frequently asked questions
Who is in the Balkh Legends squad?
The checked 2018 names are listed above.
Is Balkh Legends the same club as the 2018 side from Balkh?
No. The city is shared. The franchise, the badge and the results are not. Titles stay with the club that won them.
Where do they play?
Sharjah Cricket Stadium, which hosted the whole 2018 season.