Shpageeza Cricket League 2026: Domestic T20 cricket in Afghanistan has grown into a highly competitive spectacle, and nothing highlights this transformation better than the return of the Shpageeza Cricket League (SCL). Entering its highly anticipated 11th edition, the tournament brings elite international icons and explosive young talent together on the local stage.
Whether you are tracking global superstars like Rashid Khan and Rahmanullah Gurbaz or looking to spot the next breakout spin prodigy from the region, this tournament is essential viewing. This complete guide breaks down the full schedule, analyzes all five team squads, highlights key players to watch, and details how you can stream the action live from July 1 to July 14, 2026.
Tournament Format and Structure
The 11th season features five premier franchises competing over a high-intensity two-week window. A total of 21 matches will keep fans engaged with double-header action scheduled on almost every single matchday.
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| TOURNAMENT AT A GLANCE |
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| Feature | Details |
+----------------------+------------------------------------+
| Dates | July 1 to July 14, 2026 |
| Format | Double Round-Robin |
| Total Matches | 21 Matches |
| Daily Cadence | Two matches per day (typically) |
| Playoff System | Top 2 teams advance directly to |
| | the Championship Final |
| Match Venue | Rahmat Wali Masroor Cricket Ground |
| | (Khost, Afghanistan) |
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The double round-robin format ensures every franchise faces its opponents twice in the league phase. This format removes early element-of-chance exits, demanding absolute consistency. Margins for error are incredibly slim, as only the top two teams on the points table earn a spot in the grand finale on July 14.
Venue Profile: Rahmat Wali Masroor Cricket Ground
In a significant structural shift for the tournament, the entire 11th edition will take place at the Rahmat Wali Masroor Cricket Ground in Khost.
Historically, Kabul hosted the bulk of domestic league matches. Shifting the entire tournament to Khost brings premium top-tier cricket directly to passionate regional fans.
- Pitch Dynamics: The surface typically supports balanced play, offering authentic bounce and carry for fast bowlers in early morning conditions.
- The Spin Factor: As consecutive matches wear down the square, expect world-class spinners to exploit heavy turn, particularly during afternoon double-headers.
- Atmosphere: Khost stands out for its loud, energetic crowds, turning this venue into a fortress of noise for every match.
Historical Context: Looking Back at Season 10
Reviewing the previous edition provides valuable context heading into this season. The 10th edition concluded with defensive masterclasses and high-scoring individual campaigns.
- Defending Champions: Amo Sharks hold the title after a dominant performance in the previous final, defeating the Mis Ainak Knights by 8 wickets.
- The Batting Benchmark: National captain Hashmatullah Shahidi led the run charts last season, anchoring the Band-e-Amir Dragons with 321 runs.
- The Bowling Standard: Left-arm orthodox spinner Sharafuddin Ashraf spearheaded the Amo Sharks’ title run, taking a tournament-high 14 wickets.
Deep-Dive Analysis of the 5 Franchises
The true strength of the league lies in how top-tier national team players are distributed across the squads alongside emerging domestic talent. Let’s analyze each of the five franchises competing for the 2026 title.
1. Amo Sharks (Defending Champions)
The Sharks enter the competition with a target on their backs. Led by dynamic all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai, their roster balances raw power hitting with clever tactical bowling options.
- Key Players to Watch: Azmatullah Omarzai, Qais Ahmad, Hassan Eisakhel, Fazal Haq Farooqi.
- Tactical Blueprint: The Sharks rely heavily on their world-class bowling depth. With Farooqi swinging the new ball and Qais Ahmad choking runs in the middle overs, they are highly skilled at defending below-par targets.
Full Amo Sharks Squad: Azmatullah Omarzai (C), Abdul Malik, Imran Mir, Hassan Eisakhil, Shahidullah Kamal, Keramatullah, Shawkat Zaman, Ishaq Rahimi (WK), Yousuf Shah (WK), M. Younus Zadran, Qais Ahmad, Azim Zadran, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Yamin Ahmadzai, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Faisal Shinozada, M. Nabi Miakhil.
2. Band-e-Amir Dragons
The Dragons feature an exceptionally balanced squad, blending international experience with some of the country’s most exciting young prospects.
- Key Players to Watch: Hashmatullah Shahidi, Gulbadin Naib, Sediqullah Atal, AM Ghazanfar.
- Tactical Blueprint: Anchored by Shahidi, the Dragons focus on building stable, calculated innings before unleashing the power of Gulbadin Naib in the final overs. Watch out for young mystery spinner AM Ghazanfar, who could emerge as a primary weapon on the turning Khost pitches.
Full Band-e-Amir Dragons Squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Sediq Atal, Haroon Khan, Sediqullah Pacha, Rahmanullah Zadran, Azizullah Miakhil, Rahman Zurmatai (WK), M. Sabir Hanif (WK), Gulbadin Naib, Nangyal Kharoti, AM Ghazanfar, Izharulhaq Naveed, Sami Sarmast, Saleem Safi, Khalil Ahmad, Barakzai Naseri, Sayed Shirzad.
3. Mis Ainak Knights
After falling just short in the previous final, the Mis Ainak Knights return with a reconstructed, highly aggressive roster engineered to go one step further.
- Key Players to Watch: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Dawlat Zadran.
- Tactical Blueprint: The Knights play an ultra-aggressive brand of T20 cricket. With Gurbaz opening the batting, they aim to maximize the mandatory powerplay overs, backed by veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi to control the middle phase of the game.
Full Mis-e-Ainak Knights Squad: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (C), Raiz Hassan, Wafiullah Tarakhail, Khalid Taniwal, Nasir Jamal, Emal Shaheen, Sohail Khan Zurmati, Afsar Zazai (WK), Mohammad Nabi, Farmanullah Safi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Khalil Gurbaz, Nasrat Nooristani, Zia Sharifi, Bilal Sami, Dawlat Zadran, Khalid Ahmadzai.
4. Speen Ghar Tigers
The Tigers boast arguably the most high-profile marquee player in the tournament: global icon Rashid Khan. His leadership gives this franchise an immediate competitive edge.
- Key Players to Watch: Rashid Khan, Zubaid Akbari, Darwish Rasooli, Fareed Malik.
- Tactical Blueprint: Under Rashid Khan’s captaincy, the Tigers use aggressive fielding positions and defensive bowling variations to pressure opposing batters into costly errors.
Full Speen Ghar Tigers Squad: Rashid Khan (C), Mohammad Akram, Zubaid Akbari, Rahmat Shah, Darwish Rasooli, Baheer Shah, Ijaz Ahmadzai, Ikram Alikhil (WK), Noor Rahman (WK), Ismat Alam, Zahir Khan, Zaitullah Shaheen, Fareed Malik, M. Ibrahim Sharifi, Faridoon Dawoodzai, Faheem Qasemi, Ijaz Ul Haq Noorzai.
5. Boost Defenders
Led by top-order anchor Ibrahim Zadran, the Boost Defenders are built around structural stability, technical discipline, and explosive finishing options.
- Key Players to Watch: Ibrahim Zadran, Hazratullah Zazai, Noor Ahmad, Najibullah Zadran.
- Tactical Blueprint: The Defenders feature a dangerous opening partnership combining Zadran’s classic technique with Hazratullah Zazai’s raw power. Left-arm wrist spinner Noor Ahmad provides an elite wicket-taking option in defense of their totals.
Full Boost Defenders Squad: Ibrahim Zadran (C), Hazratullah Zazai, Jawid Ahmadzai, Akbar Musazai, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Asif, Numan Shah (WK), Murad Muradi (WK), Shams Ur Rahman, Karim Janat, Noor Ahmad, Arab Gul, Nijat Masood, Said Khan, Bashir Ahmad, Abdullah Tarakhail, Rohullah Arab.
Official Match Schedule: Fixtures and Timings
Plan your viewing schedule with our comprehensive, chronological match tracker. All matches take place at the Rahmat Wali Masroor Cricket Ground in Khost.
1.Wednesday, July 1, 2026: Opening Day:Matches 1 & 2.
• Match 1: Amo Sharks vs. Band-e-Amir Dragons (The opening match features the defending champions against a balanced Dragons side)
• Match 2: Mis-e-Ainak Knights vs. Speen Ghar Tigers (A premier clash pitting Gurbaz’s batting power against Rashid Khan’s bowling variations)
2.Thursday, July 2, 2026:Matches 3 & 4.
• Match 3: Boost Defenders vs. Amo Sharks
• Match 4: Speen Ghar Tigers vs. Band-e-Amir Dragons
3.Friday, July 3, 2026: Mid-Week Feature:Match 5.
• Match 5: Band-e-Amir Dragons vs. Mis-e-Ainak Knights (A single high-profile matchup designed to anchor the weekend broadcast slot)
4.Saturday, July 4, 2026:Matches 6 & 7.
• Match 6: Boost Defenders vs. Speen Ghar Tigers
• Match 7: Amo Sharks vs. Mis-e-Ainak Knights
5.Sunday, July 5, 2026:Matches 8 & 9.
• Match 8: Boost Defenders vs. Band-e-Amir Dragons
• Match 9: Amo Sharks vs. Speen Ghar Tigers
6.Monday, July 6, 2026: Second Leg Begins:Matches 10 & 11.
• Match 10: Boost Defenders vs. Mis-e-Ainak Knights
• Match 11: Amo Sharks vs. Band-e-Amir Dragons
7.Wednesday, July 8, 2026:Matches 12 & 13.
• Match 12: Band-e-Amir Dragons vs. Speen Ghar Tigers
• Match 13: Amo Sharks vs. Mis-e-Ainak Knights
8.Thursday, July 9, 2026:Matches 14 & 15.
• Match 14: Boost Defenders vs. Speen Ghar Tigers
• Match 15: Band-e-Amir Dragons vs. Mis-e-Ainak Knights
9.Friday, July 10, 2026:Match 16.
• Match 16: Boost Defenders vs. Band-e-Amir Dragons
10.Saturday, July 11, 2026: Final Inning Push:Matches 17 & 18.
• Match 17: Speen Ghar Tigers vs. Amo Sharks
• Match 18: Boost Defenders vs. Mis-e-Ainak Knights
11.Sunday, July 12, 2026: League Stage Closures:Matches 19 & 20.
• Match 19: Mis-e-Ainak Knights vs. Speen Ghar Tigers
• Match 20: Amo Sharks vs. Boost Defenders (The final league standings will clarify the top two teams advancing to the final)
12.Tuesday, July 14, 2026: Championship Day:The Grand Final.
• The Final Match: League Rank 1 vs. League Rank 2 (A winner-take-all showdown to crown the 11th Shpageeza Cricket League Champion)
Strategic Fantasy Cricket Insight & Analysis
For fans engaged in fantasy cricket platforms, the tournament presents unique challenges and opportunities. Relying entirely on famous marquee names can strain your budget cap, making it essential to identify high-value domestic options.
Top Marquee Selections (High Investment)
- Rashid Khan (Speen Ghar Tigers): A mandatory pick whenever he plays. He guarantees elite economy rates and provides valuable late-order batting points.
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Mis Ainak Knights): High-reward opening batter. If he clears the infield during the powerplay, he can single-handedly win fantasy matchups.
Value Targets & Differential Picks
- Sediqullah Atal (Band-e-Amir Dragons): An aggressive top-order batter showing excellent domestic form. He offers top-tier production at a lower salary tier.
- Noor Ahmad (Boost Defenders): Often overlooked alongside Rashid Khan, his left-arm wrist spin is incredibly difficult to read on wearing regional tracks.
- Faisal Shinozada (Amo Sharks): A talented domestic player who could play a prominent role if the top order falters.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Shpageeza Cricket League 2026 start and end?
The tournament officially begins on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, and concludes with the championship final on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
How many teams are competing in the SCL 2026 season?
Five franchise teams are competing this year: Amo Sharks, Band-e-Amir Dragons, Mis Ainak Knights, Speen Ghar Tigers, and Boost Defenders.
Where are the matches being played?
All 21 matches of the 11th edition will take place exclusively at the Rahmat Wali Masroor Cricket Ground located in Khost, Afghanistan.
What is the tournament format for this edition?
The tournament follows a double round-robin format during the league stage. Each team plays the other four teams twice. The top two teams on the points table advance directly to the final match.
Who won the last edition of the Shpageeza Cricket League?
The Amo Sharks are the defending champions, having defeated the Mis Ainak Knights by 8 wickets in the season 10 finale.
Are international stars playing in this domestic tournament?
Yes. Afghanistan’s top international players, including Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Fazal Haq Farooqi, are fully integrated into their respective franchise squads.
The 11th edition of the Shpageeza Cricket League promises to deliver world-class cricket directly to the passionate fans in Khost. With an optimized double round-robin format, five balanced squads, and elite international stars scattered across the rosters, this two-week tournament will be highly competitive from the opening delivery to the final wicket.
Don’t miss a moment of the action as the Amo Sharks look to defend their crown against a hungry field of challengers.
Join the Conversation: Which franchise do you think put together the strongest squad for the 2026 campaign? Let us know your title predictions and favorite breakthrough players in the comments below!
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