Shpageeza Cricket League 2020: Team owner makes his T20 debut; gets banned after playing one match

The Afghanistan Cricket Board is currently hosting the 2020 edition of its domestic T20 tournament, Shpageeza Cricket League 2020. The event was scheduled to begin from September 13 but was rescheduled to avoid a clash with the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League, which will get underway from September 19 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Shpageeza Cricket League commenced from September 6 and will run till September 16 in Kabul.

The tournament features six teams namely Mis Ainak Knights, Band-e-Amir Dragons, Amo Sharks, Speen Ghar Tigers, Kabul Eagles, and Boost Defenders fighting for the title. The 15 league matches will be followed by the playoffs comprising two qualifiers and an eliminator. The final of the league will be played on September 16 (Wednesday).

The Kabul Eagles were up against the defending champions Mis Ainak Knights in the first qualifier of the Shpageeza league at Kabul International Cricket Stadium on September 14. The table-toppers Kabul have won four games in the league stage to finish with eight points while Knights won three games in the season to finish at the second position on the points table.

Abdul Kabul Ayoubi creates a unique record

While the Kabul Eagles were up against the Knights in the first semi-final of the Shpageeza Cricket League, the viewers witnessed a unique scenario as the team owner of the Eagles made his debut in the game. The 40-year-old medium-pacer for the very first time featured in the playing XI of his own team and bowled one over in which he gave away 16 runs.

Ayoubi was already under scrutiny for making an illegal debut like this on the cricket field but now he has been banned from attending the Shpageeza tournament for misbehaving with the staff in the only match he has played so far. Reports suggest that the pacer was involved in a violent spat with a commentator which resulted in the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) banning him after playing just one match.

Confirming the news, ACB tweeted, “@TheKabulEagles franchise owner Ab.Latif Ayobi is banned from attending the remainder of #Etisalat4GSCL2020 & fined 30000 AFNs for violation of Articles 9 &18 of the ACB Disciplinary Code which deals with misbehavior with Staff or players, using foul language & damaging property.”

@TheKabulEagles franchise owner Ab.Latif Ayobi is banned from attending the remainder of #Etisalat4GSCL2020 & fined 30000 AFNs for violation of Articles 9 &18 of the ACB Disciplinary Code which deals with misbehavior with Staff or players, using foul language & damaging property.

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) September 14, 2020