AFG *159/6 (48 ov)
ZIM 339/10 (114.5 ov)AFGHANISTAN PREMIER LEAGUE 2026-27 — STANDINGS & HOW THEY WORK
- Season starts 27 Dec 2026
- 5 teams
- UAE
Note. The season begins on 27 December 2026, so the points table currently shows all five teams on zero. It fills in as matches are played. The scoring and qualification rules below follow the standard franchise T20 system; confirm any league-specific variations against the official APL playing conditions.
The Afghanistan Premier League 2026-27 points table is the league ladder that ranks the five franchises through the season: Akcel United Kabul, Team Balkh, Kandahar Warriors, Nangarhar Cosmic and Team Paktia. The season begins on 27 December 2026 in the United Arab Emirates, so every team currently sits on zero points. The table updates after each match as teams bank wins and net run rate.
Each side plays a double round-robin, meeting every other team twice for eight league games each. Teams are ranked by total points, and when sides are level, net run rate decides the order. At the end of the league stage, the top four advance to the playoffs.
Current Standings (Pre-Season)
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | NR | Pts | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Akcel United Kabul (KAB)KAB |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +0.000 |
| 2 |  Team Balkh (BAL)BAL |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +0.000 |
| 3 |  Kandahar Warriors (KAN)KAN |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +0.000 |
| 4 |  Nangarhar Cosmic (NAN)NAN |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +0.000 |
| 5 |  Team Paktia (PAK)PAK |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +0.000 |
Pre-season table, listed in the league's team order. The top four after the league stage qualify for the playoffs.
Pld = played, W = won, L = lost, NR = no result, Pts = points, NRR = net run rate. All zero before the season starts; listed in league team order.
How the APL 2026-27 Points Table Works
Points are earned match by match on a simple system used across franchise T20 cricket.
| Result | Points | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Win | 2 points | The winning team takes two points. Wins are the main driver of a team’s position on the table. |
| Loss | 0 points | The losing team gets nothing. There is no deduction; it simply does not add to its total. |
| Tie | Super Over, then 2 points | A tied match is decided by a Super Over on the night, and the winner takes the full two points. |
| No result / abandoned | 1 point each | If a match cannot be completed and has no result, the points are shared, one to each team. |
A single washed-out game can matter: one point for a no-result can be the difference between a playoff place and missing out.
How Teams Qualify for the Playoffs
After the league stage, the top four teams on the points table advance to the playoffs. With only five teams, just one side misses out at the league stage, so every game counts and the race for fourth is usually tight.
| Stage | Who plays | What is at stake |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifier 1 | 1st vs 2nd | Winner goes straight to the Final; loser gets a second chance in Qualifier 2. |
| Eliminator | 3rd vs 4th | Loser is knocked out; winner stays alive and meets the Qualifier 1 loser. |
| Qualifier 2 | Loser Q1 vs Winner Eliminator | Winner takes the second place in the Final; loser is out. |
| Final | Winner Q1 vs Winner Q2 | The title decider. |
Finishing in the top two is a real advantage: those teams get two chances to reach the Final through Qualifier 1 and Qualifier 2.
Tiebreakers: How Level Teams Are Separated
When two or more teams finish on the same number of points, the order is decided in sequence:
| Order | Tiebreaker | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Net run rate (NRR) | The average runs a team scores per over across the season minus the average it concedes. A higher NRR ranks higher. |
| 2 | Head-to-head | If still level, the result of the matches between the tied teams is used. |
| 3 | Number of wins | If needed, the team with more wins in the league stage is placed higher. |
Net run rate is the one to watch. Because it rewards the margin of victory, teams chase quick wins or defend with overs to spare, and a single big win or heavy loss can swing a team’s NRR and its place on the table.
The Five Teams in the Table
The five franchises competing for points in the APL 2026-27, each led by a leading Afghan player.
| Team | Code | Captain |
|---|---|---|
| Akcel United Kabul | KAB | Azmatullah Omarzai |
| Team Balkh | BAL | Ibrahim Zadran |
| Kandahar Warriors | KAN | Rashid Khan |
| Nangarhar Cosmic | NAN | Rahmat Shah |
| Team Paktia | PAK | Rahmanullah Gurbaz |
APL 2026-27 Points Table FAQs
How does the APL points table work?
Teams get two points for a win and none for a loss. A tie is settled by a Super Over, and a match with no result gives each team one point. Teams are ranked by total points, with net run rate as the main tiebreaker.
How many teams qualify for the APL playoffs?
The top four of the five teams qualify. They play Qualifier 1 (1st vs 2nd), the Eliminator (3rd vs 4th), then Qualifier 2 and the Final.
What is net run rate in the APL?
Net run rate is the average runs a team scores per over across the season minus the average it concedes per over. It is the first tiebreaker when teams are level on points.
How many matches does each team play in the league stage?
Eight. Each of the five teams plays every other team twice in a double round-robin, for 20 league matches in all.
What happens if a match is tied?
It goes to a Super Over on the night, and the winner takes the full two points. Only if the game cannot be completed at all are the points shared one each.
How many points to make the APL playoffs?
There is no fixed number; it depends on results across the league. With eight games each and four of five teams advancing, a couple of extra wins or a strong net run rate usually secures a place.
When does the APL 2026-27 points table start updating?
Once the season begins on 27 December 2026. Until the first ball, all five teams sit on zero.
Which team is favourite to top the table?
The table is open before a ball is bowled. Every squad mixes Afghan internationals with overseas professionals, so form through the group stage will decide the standings.
Last updated 14 November 2026