Mohammad Amir Enters Afghanistan Premier League Draft as a UK National
Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir is among the headline names registered for the Afghanistan Premier League (APL) player draft, scheduled to take place in Dubai on Tuesday, November 3. Amir, who now lives in England and has acquired British citizenship, is listed as a UK national, with Pakistan recorded as his country of residence. He has been placed in the draft’s Platinum category, the highest player band.
His registration is notable not only for the prospect of seeing the 34-year-old return to franchise cricket, but also because his nationality could affect his availability. The Afghanistan Cricket Board’s (ACB) draft register states that participation by Pakistan players is subject to receiving a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Amir’s UK status may mean he does not face the same clearance requirement as players registered as Pakistani nationals, although his eligibility and availability will ultimately depend on the relevant tournament and league rules.
Could Amir also enter the IPL auction?
Amir’s APL registration has renewed speculation that he could also sign up for the Indian Premier League auction from England. No decision or franchise interest has been confirmed, and his inclusion in the APL draft should not be taken as proof that he will be available for the IPL. However, there is a precedent for a former Pakistan international playing in the competition while holding a British passport.
Azhar Mahmood featured in the IPL from 2012 to 2015, representing Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders. His case is often cited in discussions about how nationality, passport status and league regulations can shape a player’s eligibility. Whether an IPL franchise considers Amir will become clearer at the mini-auction scheduled in Goa on December 16. For now, his potential participation remains a point of interest rather than a confirmed outcome.
Amir brings substantial international experience to the draft. He played 36 Tests, 61 one-day internationals and 62 T20 internationals for Pakistan. His last appearance for the national side came in June 2024, against Ireland in Lauderhill, Florida, during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. His left-arm pace, experience in high-pressure matches and familiarity with international batting line-ups could make him an attractive option for teams seeking an experienced overseas bowler.
PCB clearance remains a question for Pakistan players
Amir’s situation contrasts with that of the many Pakistan-based players listed for the APL draft. More than 30 Pakistan players appear in the register, including Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Hasan Ali, Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf and Imad Wasim. Their participation is conditional on receiving PCB approval.
A PCB spokesperson appeared to cast doubt on whether such clearances would be granted, telling Cricbuzz, “I don’t think so.” Reports have suggested that NOCs for the APL may have been rejected amid diplomatic tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, whose shared border region has been a source of political friction. The board’s formal position and any final decisions will be important for players and franchises planning their squads.
The uncertainty could influence the draft’s balance. Teams may need to prepare for several possible outcomes: a full pool of Pakistan players becoming available, only some receiving clearance, or none being released. For supporters following the APL prediction landscape, that makes the draft especially difficult to forecast. A player’s name on the register is an indication of interest, not a guarantee that he will be selected or take the field.
Indian and India-origin players feature across categories
Several players with Indian cricket backgrounds have also registered. Vijay Shankar and Murugan Ashwin are listed as Indians, while wicketkeeper-batter KS Bharat is recorded as an Indian player resident in the UAE. All three have been assigned to the Gold category, which includes 462 shortlisted players. The source information describes Shankar and Bharat as former India internationals who have retired from all forms of cricket, including the IPL; their presence adds familiar names for Indian fans tracking the international franchise circuit.
The wider register includes players of Indian origin who represent other countries or are based overseas. They include Unmukt Chand, listed with the United States; Rahul Chopra, Akshdeep Nath, Alishan Sharafu, Aryan Afzal Khan and Dhruv Parashar, listed with the UAE; Ayaan Khan, associated with Oman; Vraj Patel, listed with Kenya; and Yasin Patel, listed with Kuwait. Their inclusion reflects the increasingly international character of franchise cricket, where players develop careers across national teams, domestic competitions and leagues around the world.
Afghanistan’s leading stars set to anchor the tournament
The APL is expected to feature several of Afghanistan’s most recognisable cricketers, including Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Azmatullah Omarzai, Ibrahim Zadran and Noor Ahmad. Their involvement would give the competition an immediate sporting draw while placing Afghanistan’s established talent alongside overseas recruits.
The tournament is planned as a five-team competition. Each franchise can register up to 18 players, with squads expected to include 11 or 12 Afghanistan players and six or seven overseas recruits. That structure is designed to keep Afghan cricketers at the centre of the league while allowing teams to add international experience in key roles.
ITW Universe, the rights holder, has presented the competition as a major step in the growth of Afghan cricket. Bhairav Shanth said Afghanistan was now “the number two cricket team in Asia after India” and described the APL as the home league the country’s rise deserved. He added that the franchise owners had international experience and shared confidence in Afghan cricket’s talent and following. Those ambitions will be tested by the quality of the draft, the availability of leading players and the league’s ability to build a reliable competition calendar.
Player categories, fees and team budgets
The draft uses five player categories, with listed fees ranging from USD 10,000 for Emerging players to USD 100,000 for Platinum selections. Diamond players are valued at USD 65,000, Gold players at USD 40,000 and Silver players at USD 20,000. Each team is expected to have a purse of between USD 650,000 and USD 750,000, giving franchises room to shape squads while balancing star signings with depth.
Those figures create an early framework for APL prediction, but the final squad picture will depend on more than category labels. Player availability, NOC decisions, role requirements and the competition between franchises could all change how teams spend. Amir’s Platinum listing makes him one of the draft’s most closely watched names, while the presence of Afghanistan’s leading players gives the league a strong local foundation. With the draft approaching and the tournament expected later this year, the next major developments will be the confirmed selections, player clearances and the final composition of the five teams.
