The Afghanistan National T20 Cup 2026 runs from May 2 to May 14 at the Kunduz Cricket Ground.
All 21 matches, including the final, take place at one venue.
This is the third edition of Afghanistan’s top domestic T20 tournament.
It is officially called the e& National T20 Cup 2026, powered by Super Cola.
Five regional teams compete across 13 days.
Afghanistan National T20 Cup 2026 Schedule, Teams, and Match Details
If you want the full schedule, team details, match timings, and streaming info, this guide has it all.
Afghanistan National T20 Cup 2026: Series Overview
Here is a quick snapshot before we get into the full fixture list.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament Name | e& National T20 Cup 2026, powered by Super Cola |
| Organizer | Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) |
| Edition | 3rd |
| Format | T20 |
| Teams | 5 Regional Teams |
| Structure | Double Round-Robin + Final |
| Total Matches | 21 |
| Start Date | May 2, 2026 |
| End Date | May 14, 2026 |
| Venue | Kunduz Cricket Ground, Kunduz |
| Country | Afghanistan |
Afghanistan National T20 Cup 2026: Complete Match Schedule
The ACB has scheduled two matches on most days, with rest days on May 7 and May 13. All timings are in Afghanistan Time (AFT, UTC+4:30).
| # | Date | Day | Match | Time (AFT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 2, 2026 | Saturday | Speenghar vs Bost | 9:00 AM |
| 2 | May 2, 2026 | Saturday | Mis-e-Ainak vs Amo | 2:00 PM |
| 3 | May 3, 2026 | Sunday | Bost vs Mis-e-Ainak | 9:00 AM |
| 4 | May 3, 2026 | Sunday | Speenghar vs Band-e-Amir | 2:00 PM |
| 5 | May 4, 2026 | Monday | Amo vs Bost | 9:00 AM |
| 6 | May 4, 2026 | Monday | Band-e-Amir vs Mis-e-Ainak | 2:00 PM |
| 7 | May 5, 2026 | Tuesday | Amo vs Band-e-Amir | 9:00 AM |
| 8 | May 5, 2026 | Tuesday | Speenghar vs Mis-e-Ainak | 2:00 PM |
| 9 | May 6, 2026 | Wednesday | Speenghar vs Amo | 9:00 AM |
| 10 | May 6, 2026 | Wednesday | Band-e-Amir vs Bost | 2:00 PM |
| 11 | May 8, 2026 | Friday | Mis-e-Ainak vs Amo | 9:00 AM |
| 12 | May 8, 2026 | Friday | Bost vs Speenghar | 2:00 PM |
| 13 | May 9, 2026 | Saturday | Amo vs Speenghar | 9:00 AM |
| 14 | May 9, 2026 | Saturday | Mis-e-Ainak vs Band-e-Amir | 2:00 PM |
| 15 | May 10, 2026 | Sunday | Amo vs Bost | 9:00 AM |
| 16 | May 10, 2026 | Sunday | Band-e-Amir vs Speenghar | 2:00 PM |
| 17 | May 11, 2026 | Monday | Bost vs Band-e-Amir | 9:00 AM |
| 18 | May 11, 2026 | Monday | Speenghar vs Mis-e-Ainak | 2:00 PM |
| 19 | May 12, 2026 | Tuesday | Bost vs Mis-e-Ainak | 9:00 AM |
| 20 | May 12, 2026 | Tuesday | Amo vs Band-e-Amir | 2:00 PM |
| 21 | May 14, 2026 | Thursday | Final (Top 2 Teams) | 2:00 PM |
Match Timings for Indian Viewers (AFT to IST)
AFT runs one hour behind IST. A 9:00 AM AFT match starts at 10:00 AM IST, and the 2:00 PM AFT match begins at 3:00 PM IST.
| Match Slot | AFT | IST |
|---|---|---|
| Morning Match | 9:00 AM | 10:00 AM |
| Afternoon Match | 2:00 PM | 3:00 PM |
Afghanistan National T20 Cup 2026: Teams and Captains
Five regional teams take part in the tournament. Each team covers a cluster of Afghan provinces, which makes the local rivalries feel genuine.
| Team | Provinces | Captain |
|---|---|---|
| Speenghar Region | Nangarhar, Kapisa, Kunar, Laghman, Nuristan | Zubaid Akbari |
| Bost Region | Kandahar, Helmand, Nimroz, Uruzgan, Zabul | Najibullah Zadran |
| Mis-e-Ainak Region | Khost, Logar, Paktia, Paktika | Ijaz Ahmadzai |
| Amo Region | Balkh, Faryab, Jowzjan, Samangan, Sar-e Pol | Imran Mir |
| Band-e-Amir Region | Ghazni, Bamyan, Daykundi, Maidan Wardak | Hazratullah Zazai |
Key Players to Watch in 2026
- Hazratullah Zazai captains Band-e-Amir. He hit 310 runs in the 2024 edition at a strike rate of 158.16 — hard to ignore.
- Najibullah Zadran leads the Bost Region. He brings years of international T20 experience and a reputation for hitting hard in the middle overs.
- Khalid Taniwal of Mis-e-Ainak was among the top scorers early in the tournament. Abdollah Ahmadzai of Band-e-Amir took 4 wickets on debut, making him the early leading wicket-taker.
Tournament Format Explained
The format is simple. All five teams play each other twice in a double round-robin league stage. That gives every team eight matches before the final.
The top two teams on the points table advance straight to the Grand Final on May 14. There are no eliminators or playoff matches.
Note: The 2025 edition used franchise-style team names like Hindukush Strikers and Pamir Legends. The ACB brought back the original regional structure for 2026.
Past Champions: National T20 Cup Winners
Only two editions have been played so far.
| Season | Winner | Runner-Up | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Band-e-Amir Region | Mis-e-Ainak Region | Won by 23 runs |
| 2025 | Hindukush Strikers | Pamir Legends | Won by 1 wicket |
The 2025 final was tight. Hindukush Strikers chased 97 and won with just one wicket to spare — the kind of finish that keeps fans watching until the last ball.
Kunduz Cricket Ground: Venue Details
Every match in 2026 takes place at the Kunduz Cricket Ground. Unlike the 2024 edition, where games spread across multiple cities, this year uses a single venue throughout.
The Kunduz ground hosted the 2025 edition too. The surface plays flat, though early-over bowlers get some movement before spinners take over as the pitch wears.
With 21 matches at one ground, pitch condition will matter in the later stages. Teams batting second may find things harder as the tournament goes on.
Where to Watch National T20 Cup 2026?
| Region | Platform |
|---|---|
| India (Live Streaming) | FanCode App and Website |
| Afghanistan | AF Sports / ACB Official Channels |
| Live Scores | ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz, CREX |
| Ball-by-Ball Updates | CricketWorld.com |
Indian fans can watch on FanCode. The platform has it listed as “Super Cola National T20 Cup, 2026.”
A match pass or tour pass may be needed for live access.
Why Does This Tournament Matter?
Afghan cricket has grown fast over the past decade. But that growth needs a strong domestic base behind it.
The National T20 Cup is the main route for young Afghan players to get noticed by the national selectors.
Ijaz Ahmadzai, who captains Mis-e-Ainak in 2026, earned a reserve spot in Afghanistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad.
The link between domestic form and international selection is direct — and that is what gives this tournament real weight.
Players from remote provinces also get a genuine shot here. Without a competition like this, many would never get to play top-level T20 cricket.
FAQs
- When does the Afghanistan National T20 Cup 2026 start?
The tournament starts on May 2, 2026, with the Grand Final on May 14, 2026.
- Where are the Afghanistan National T20 Cup 2026 matches played?
All 21 matches take place at the Kunduz Cricket Ground in Kunduz province.
- How many teams play in the National T20 Cup 2026?
Five regional teams compete: Speenghar, Bost, Mis-e-Ainak, Amo, and Band-e-Amir.
- How many matches are there in the 2026 edition?
There are 21 matches in total, including the Grand Final.
- Where can I watch the Afghanistan National T20 Cup 2026 in India?
Indian fans can watch on FanCode via the app or website.
- Who won the Afghanistan National T20 Cup in 2024?
Band-e-Amir Region won the 2024 edition, beating Mis-e-Ainak Region by 23 runs.
Conclusion:
The Afghanistan National T20 Cup 2026 packs 21 matches into 13 days at one ground.
The format is clean, the rivalries are real, and the final on May 14 should deliver.
Whether you are following it for fantasy cricket, tracking Afghan talent, or just enjoy domestic T20 cricket from around the world, this tournament is worth your attention.
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