CPL 2020: Afghanistan cricketers might miss playoffs of the tournament

Ever since cricket is back in the action after COVID-19 forced halt, many leagues are taking place simultaneously, which has resulted in few clashes, and players have to manage accordingly. In the same light, six Afghanistan cricketers inducing significant like Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rashid Khan, and Mohammad Nabi could miss the final week action of the ongoing Caribbean Premier League 2020. They may fly back home to play Afghanistan’s T20 league Shpageeza Cricket League.

Shpageeza features six teams and is scheduled to commence on September 6 the finals will be played for the same on September 16. On the other hand, the final of CPL is scheduled for September 10. Earlier, Shpageeza was getting overlapped with the most awaited Indian Premier League 2020 getting underway from September 19, but later Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) decided to prepone it.

“We have sent an email to Cricket West Indies. We will have players from CPL on September 5,” said the acting chief executive officer of ACB as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. “They are aware about that. They are just waiting for the flight details so they will prepare for the players to fly out.”

Talking of Shpageeza Cricket League, Mohammad Nabi captains Mis-e-Ainak Knights while Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Naveen represent Kabul Eagles and ace spinner Rashid Khan plays for Band-e-Amir Dragons. The 11-day event contains 19 matches, including 4- playoffs, and the whole action takes place at Kabul international stadium.

ACB going through a major financial crisis

The sole purpose of this domestic league is to promote cricketing action and sports in Afghanistan by establishing peace between people across the nation. It becomes of utmost importance to get this league staged because as per the latest reports, ACB is going through a major financial crisis. It was only in May that Board had to cut the pay of players along with coaching staff by 50% due to a shortage of funds.

In the latest turn of events, ACB has to get off Andy Moles, the technical director and chairman of the selection panel for Afghanistan cricket appointed last year in October owing to the same financial crisis. The nation hasn’t seen single cricketing action in the past 5- months.