Afghanistan National T20 Cup
The Afghanistan National T20 Cup, which began in 2024 and has since evolved through identities like the Qosh Tepa National Twenty20 Cup and the Wakhan National T20 Cup, remains the country’s flagship regional T20 competition. Designed to spotlight Afghanistan’s rising cricket talent in a fast, high-intensity format, the tournament has steadily grown in stature and fan following across the subcontinent. Its early years saw Band e Amir Region lift the inaugural title, setting the tone for a domestic league that blends regional pride with competitive T20 cricket.
The most recent edition, played from May 2 to May 13, 2026, delivered another strong chapter in Afghan domestic cricket. Featuring four regional sides in a league-based format, the competition culminated in a high-scoring final at Kunduz Cricket Ground, where Boost Region defeated Mis Ainak Region by 5 wickets to claim the 2026 championship. With Boost Region now holding the title, the Afghanistan National T20 Cup continues to strengthen its position as a key platform for Afghan cricket and a compelling watch for Indian fans tracking emerging talent and form trends in the region.
Introduction
The Afghanistan National T20 Cup has quickly become an important part of the country’s domestic cricket structure, providing a competitive platform for regional talent and a useful preparation environment for players involved in Afghanistan’s international T20 setup. Introduced in 2024 as the Qosh Tepa National T20 Cup, the tournament brought together five regional sides under a unified Twenty20 framework, marking a new addition to Afghanistan’s domestic calendar. Its double round-robin format ensured that teams faced each other twice before the top two advanced to the final, creating a demanding schedule built around consistency and repeated competition.
The tournament’s evolution reflects both cricketing ambition and the wider identity associated with Afghanistan’s regional development. In 2025, the competition was renamed the Wakhan National T20 Cup and moved to Kunduz, with four teams competing in a double round-robin format before the top two reached the final. The tournament continued to provide opportunities for emerging players, with standout performers gaining exposure in Afghanistan’s wider domestic setup. Its second edition also reinforced Kunduz as an important venue for the competition, while live television coverage helped bring the matches to a wider audience.
Beyond the field, the National T20 Cup has become another platform for assessing Afghanistan’s domestic cricket depth. Regional squads bring together players from different parts of the country, while the tournament gives emerging cricketers an opportunity to compete alongside established domestic and national-team players. Its compact T20 format creates a clear competitive rhythm and offers fans a useful way to follow the development of players ahead of other major domestic competitions. For readers exploring the event through IndiaBetMaster.com, this structure provides a clear foundation for understanding team identities, seasonal patterns, and the broader place of the Afghanistan National T20 Cup in the domestic calendar.
Readers who prefer to explore the same content in Hindi will also find a version of this article that offers additional cultural context and simplified explanations for newer followers (अफ़ग़ानिस्तान नेशनल T20 कप हिंदी समीक्षा), making it easier to understand the league’s background and its place within Afghanistan’s cricketing landscape.
Current Season
The 2026 Afghanistan National T20 Cup was held in Kunduz from May 2 to May 13, with Boost Region defeating Mis Ainak Region by 5 wickets in the final at Kunduz Cricket Ground after successfully chasing 212 with 12 balls remaining.
The National T20 Cup returned to Kunduz in 2026, continuing its run as Afghanistan’s leading short-format domestic competition. With the tournament now completed, the event once again demonstrated the appeal of a compact league structure where fans closely tracked momentum shifts and form patterns across consecutive match days. The competition featured five regional teams competing in a full double round robin, creating a balanced league phase before the top two advanced to the final.
The 2026 final delivered one of the most memorable matches in the tournament’s short history. Mis Ainak Region posted 211 for 4, but Boost Region responded with a powerful chase, reaching 217 for 5 with 12 balls to spare at Kunduz Cricket Ground. The high-scoring contest showcased the improving batting depth in Afghan domestic cricket, and Boost Region’s victory secured their place as champions of the 2026 National T20 Cup.
The five regional sides entered the 2026 edition with largely stable squads, and the tournament again provided a concentrated domestic window for players competing at regional level. The double round robin format played out consistently, with each team completing eight matches before the top two advanced to the final. Net run rate and squad depth proved decisive, as the league table remained tight throughout the two-week competition.
The National T20 Cup carried title sponsorship from e& and was powered by Super Cola, marking the official commercial structure of the 2026 edition. The tournament was officially named the e& National T20 Cup 2026, powered by Super Cola, continuing the event’s use of commercial partnerships as it developed its domestic cricket profile.
Crowd turnout in Kunduz was an important part of the tournament’s return to the province, where the ACB staged the full 2026 competition at Kunduz Cricket Ground. The tournament’s 21-match schedule was completed across 13 days, with five regional teams playing a double round robin before the final. The successful staging of another National T20 Cup edition in Kunduz further established the venue as an important setting for Afghanistan’s domestic cricket calendar.
Broadcast access also gave the tournament a wider digital presence, with FanCode providing live streaming, scores, highlights and match coverage for the 2026 edition. This gave viewers following the competition access to the full schedule, results and key match moments throughout the tournament. The final was played on May 13, with Boost Region completing its successful chase of Mis Ainak Region’s 211-run total.
The tournament continued to add to Afghanistan’s domestic cricket structure, with the 2026 edition bringing together five regional sides for 21 matches in Kunduz. The National T20 Cup provided another competitive window for regional players and helped maintain a clear pathway within the country’s domestic calendar. Its continued development has also given Afghanistan’s domestic cricket program a broader presence within the regional cricket landscape.
As of now, the ACB has not officially announced the dates or venue for the 2027 National T20 Cup. However, the 2026 edition was successfully staged in Kunduz after the province also hosted the 2025 edition, making the city an established recent venue for the competition, although any future hosting plans remain subject to official confirmation.
Ongoing October 2026 Events
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ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Test | June 17, 2025 – June 13, 2027 | LIVE |
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ICC Women's Championship ODI | February 20, 2026 – April 15, 2029 | LIVE |
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Minor League Cricket (MiLC) T20 | September 17, 2026 – October 25, 2026 | LIVE |
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Cricket at the Asian Games T20I | September 17, 2026 – October 3, 2026 | LIVE |
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South Africa vs Australia Tour | September 24, 2026 – October 31, 2026 | LIVE |
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Col CK Nayudu Winners vs ROI FC | October 1–4, 2026 | LIVE |
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Irani Cup FC | October 1–5, 2026 | LIVE |
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National Cricket League (NCL) FC | October 3, 2026 – November 17, 2026 | |
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Vinoo Mankad Trophy List A | October 8–27, 2026 | |
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Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Tour | October 9, 2026 – November 21, 2026 | |
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Women's U19 T20 Trophy T20 | October 9–26, 2026 | |
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Ranji Trophy FC | October 11, 2026 – March 3, 2027 | |
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Col CK Nayudu Trophy Multi-Day | October 12, 2026 – March 1, 2027 | |
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India vs New Zealand Tour | October 22, 2026 – December 1, 2026 | |
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Nepal Premier League (NPL) T20 | October 26, 2026 – November 21, 2026 | |
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Senior Women's T20 Trophy T20 | October 26, 2026 – November 20, 2026 | |
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Bangladesh vs West Indies Test | October 28, 2026 – November 9, 2026 | |
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Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) T20 | October 29, 2026 – December 5, 2026 | |
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Women's U19 T20 Challenger Trophy T20 | October 30, 2026 – November 5, 2026 |
Ongoing October 2026 Events
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ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Test | June 17, 2025 – June 13, 2027 | LIVE |
|
ICC Women's Championship ODI | February 20, 2026 – April 15, 2029 | LIVE |
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Minor League Cricket (MiLC) T20 | September 17, 2026 – October 25, 2026 | LIVE |
|
Cricket at the Asian Games T20I | September 17, 2026 – October 3, 2026 | LIVE |
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South Africa vs Australia Tour | September 24, 2026 – October 31, 2026 | LIVE |
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Col CK Nayudu Winners vs ROI FC | October 1–4, 2026 | LIVE |
|
Irani Cup FC | October 1–5, 2026 | LIVE |
|
National Cricket League (NCL) FC | October 3, 2026 – November 17, 2026 | |
|
Vinoo Mankad Trophy List A | October 8–27, 2026 | |
|
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Tour | October 9, 2026 – November 21, 2026 | |
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Women's U19 T20 Trophy T20 | October 9–26, 2026 | |
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Ranji Trophy FC | October 11, 2026 – March 3, 2027 | |
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Col CK Nayudu Trophy Multi-Day | October 12, 2026 – March 1, 2027 | |
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India vs New Zealand Tour | October 22, 2026 – December 1, 2026 | |
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Nepal Premier League (NPL) T20 | October 26, 2026 – November 21, 2026 | |
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Senior Women's T20 Trophy T20 | October 26, 2026 – November 20, 2026 | |
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Bangladesh vs West Indies Test | October 28, 2026 – November 9, 2026 | |
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Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) T20 | October 29, 2026 – December 5, 2026 | |
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Women's U19 T20 Challenger Trophy T20 | October 30, 2026 – November 5, 2026 |
Previous Seasons
Past Afghanistan National T20 Cup Editions
- 2026 Season
The 2026 National T20 Cup was played in Kunduz from 2 May to 13 May 2026, continuing the event’s now-established presence in Afghanistan’s northern cricket hub. Boost Region claimed the championship, defeating Mis Ainak Region by 5 wickets in a high-scoring final at Kunduz Cricket Ground after successfully chasing 212 with two overs to spare.
The tournament featured four regional teams competing in a double round robin format, with the top two advancing to the title match. The season stood out for its aggressive batting displays, improved broadcast reach, and a more polished presentation of Afghan domestic T20 cricket. Boost Region’s composed chase in the final capped a competitive edition that reinforced the league’s growing profile and offered a clear snapshot of form trends for followers of Afghan domestic cricket.
- 2025 Season
The 2025 Wakhan National T20 Cup was the second edition of Afghanistan’s domestic T20 competition, played from 28 June to 7 July 2025 at the Kunduz Cricket Ground. Hindukush Strikers won the title, defeating Pamir Legends by 1 wicket in a tense final where they chased 98 in 19.5 overs.
The tournament, officially branded the X-Bull Wakhan National T20 Cup for sponsorship reasons, featured four regional teams competing in a double round robin before the top two advanced to the final. Hindukush Strikers dominated the league stage with six wins from six matches, while Pamir Legends secured the second spot. The final itself was low scoring but dramatic, with Pamir Legends bowled out for 97 and the Strikers scraping home nine wickets down.
As the successor to the inaugural 2024 Qosh Tepa National T20 Cup, the 2025 edition marked a step forward in branding, commercial backing, and competitive balance. The shift from the Qosh Tepa name to the Wakhan identity reflected the tournament’s evolving structure, while the X-Bull sponsorship added visibility and helped elevate production standards.
- 2024 Season (Inaugural Season)
The Qosh Tepa National T20 Cup, which was held in 2024 and ended in May of the same year, was the first season of this fascinating competition. The tournament, which was largely held in Kabul and Kandahar, featured the very finest Twenty20 cricket that is played inside the Afghan local circuit. There were five teams from different regions competing against each other in a double round-robin style, which culminated in an exciting final.
The participating teams in the 2024 season were:
- Band-e-Amir Region
- Mis Ainak Region
- Amo Region
- Speen Ghar Region
- Boost Region
During the league round, there was a lot of competitiveness, with teams competing for the top two slots to advance to the overall tournament. Fans were treated to a variety of highlights, while the matches were marked by explosive batting, disciplined bowling, and outstanding fielding. Key individual performances shone out, with players like Ibrahim Zadran reaching the top of the charts for run-scoring and Wahidullah Zadran reaching the top of the list for wicket-taking. These performances demonstrated the depth of skill that exists inside Afghanistan. The blazing century that Hazratullah Zazai scored was a special highlight, as it demonstrated the power-hitting talents that are responsible for the popularity of Twenty20 cricket.
In the grand climax of the 2024 Qosh Tepa National T20 Cup, Band-e-Amir Region emerged victorious, becoming the first-ever winner. They did this by prevailing against Mis Ainak Region in a fascinating match. Band-e-Amir was able to secure the historic triumph thanks in large part to Karim Janat's exemplary performance in all aspects of the competition during the final. With their first victory, they cemented their position in the tournament's young history and established a high standard for competing in subsequent seasons.
| Season | Champion | Runner-up | Final Result | Event / Final Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Boost Region | Mis Ainak Region | Boost Region won by 5 wicket | Kunduz Cricket Ground |
| 2025 | Hindukush Strikers | Pamir Legends | Hindukush Strikers won by 1 wicket | Kunduz Cricket Ground |
| 2024 | Band-e-Amir Region | Mis Ainak Region | Band-e-Amir Region won by 23 runs | Kabul International Cricket Stadium |
History and Structure
History of the National T20 Cup
The National T20 Cup was introduced by the Afghanistan Cricket Board in 2024 to add a dedicated T20 competition to the domestic calendar and create another platform for emerging players. The inaugural edition, launched as the Qosh Tepa National T20 Cup, was initially scheduled for Kandahar but was later shifted to Kabul and rescheduled because of logistical challenges. The first season featured five regional teams, with centrally contracted players, domestic contracted players, and players from the Afghanistan Cricket Board’s high performance, emerging, and development programs involved in the competition. In 2025, the tournament was renamed the Wakhan National T20 Cup, drawing attention to the Wakhan Corridor and its potential importance as a trade route connecting Afghanistan, China, and Pakistan. The 2025 edition also marked a move to Kunduz, where four regional teams competed across the tournament.
Tournament Structure and Format
The tournament has used a clear format built around a double round-robin league followed by a final between the top two teams. In 2024, five regional teams played each other twice before the leading sides advanced to the final, while the 2025 edition featured four teams using the same basic structure. The decision to stage the 2025 and 2026 editions in Kunduz gave the competition a consistent venue base, with the Kunduz Cricket Ground hosting the matches. By 2026, the National T20 Cup had returned to five regional teams, with each side again facing every opponent twice before the top two advanced to the Grand Finale. Across its early editions, the competition has developed into a regular part of Afghanistan’s domestic T20 calendar, combining regional representation with opportunities for players to gain competitive experience and prepare for the wider demands of professional cricket.
Final Thoughts
The Afghanistan National T20 Cup has established itself as a meaningful pillar of the country’s domestic cricketing pathway, offering a structured Twenty20 environment that consistently highlights regional depth and emerging talent. Since its introduction in 2024, the competition’s double round-robin format and region-based team identities have created a recognizable rhythm that mirrors the competitive demands of modern T20 cricket. Its growth reflects a broader national commitment to organized cricket, with the Afghanistan Cricket Board using the league to strengthen both player development and domestic visibility.
Across its seasons, the tournament has showcased a blend of tactical variety and individual flair, shaped by diverse provincial cricket cultures and the unique character each team brings to the field. The league’s structure encourages continuity, allowing fans to follow familiar rivalries while also discovering new performers who rise through the regional system. Venues across Afghanistan have become important hubs for this competition, helping build a domestic audience that values both the sport’s entertainment and its role in national sporting identity.
Taken together, the National T20 Cup stands as more than a seasonal fixture. It is a reflection of Afghanistan’s cricketing ambition, a platform that nurtures future stars, and a competition that continues to evolve while staying rooted in regional pride and community engagement. Its steady presence in the domestic calendar ensures that followers of Afghan cricket have a reliable window into the country’s talent pipeline, making the league an essential part of understanding how Afghanistan shapes its T20 future.
Did You Know
