ACB decides to prepone Shpageeza Cricket League to September 6 to avoid IPL clash

In order to avoid the clash with the much-awaited Indian Premier League (IPL), the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has decided to prepone the Shpageeza Cricket League to September 6. It will allow the players having IPL commitment to be part of this T20 league as well. The final of Shpageeza will unfold on September 18, a day prior to IPL opener in the United Arab Emirates.

Before the IPL dates were revealed, the ACB had laid down the plan of Shpageeza from September 13-26 but as soon as BCCI stepped ahead with the schedule of glamorous tournament to be staged from September 19, ACB landed in the position of dilemma and had to revise their entire plan.

ACB’s interim Chief Executive Nazim Zar Abdulrahimzai spoke to Cricbuzz about their plans of Shpageeza and stated, “Yes, we have rescheduled the Shpageeza T20 and now it will start from September 6. We are expecting to get Mujeeb, Nabi and Rashid at that point of time [to play in the Shpageeza T20].”

The 6 teams contesting in the tournament are- Amo Sharks, Band-e-Amir Dragons, Boost Defenders, Kabul Eagles, Mis Ainak Knights and Spin Ghar Tigers. Mis Ainak Knights will put their best foot forward in order to defend the trophy.

Afghanistan Players might miss opening matches in IPL 2020

However, if the final will be played on 18 September, the Afghanistan players will remain aloof from the opening matches of  IPL 2020. The strict guidelines by BCCI states minimum 6 days quarantine for players after landing in UAE. A player also has to test negative for COVID-19 twice before joining the squad.

Known as Alokozay Cola Shpageeza Cricket League for sponsorship reasons, the league is organized by ACB every year for a period of 12 days to promote cricket as a sport in Afghanistan. The league also aims at establishing peace through means of sports. The first edition kicked off in the year 2013 with franchises getting players from national team, U19 team and seasoned players from respective regions.

The likes of Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman among others are the part of the IPL teams and it remains to be seen if they will travel to the UAE or play in the domestic T20 league first and miss the first week of the tournament. As many as 20 Australia and England cricketers are already set to miss the IPL.