The DP World International League T20 (ILT20) has introduced new playing conditions for its fifth season, with a significant emphasis on giving UAE and Afghan cricketers a guaranteed role in every team’s starting line-up.

Under the revised regulations, all six franchises must include at least two players from the UAE and two from Afghanistan in their Playing XI, alongside a minimum of one player from an ICC Associate Member nation.

The changes represent an important opportunity for Afghanistan’s cricketers, ensuring that at least two Afghan players feature in every team’s starting eleven throughout the tournament.

The requirement must also be maintained during matches when substitutions or Super Subs are introduced. If a UAE, Afghan or Associate player leaves the field, a replacement from the same group must be used when a team has selected only the minimum required number.

The new rules are part of a wider effort by the ILT20 to strengthen the participation of regional and Associate cricket nations, while providing greater opportunities for emerging talent alongside established international stars.

The league has also revised its concussion replacement regulations. Teams will no longer need to submit a list of potential concussion replacements before a match. However, any replacement must be medically approved, like-for-like and cleared by the match referee. The minimum player representation requirements must also be maintained.

Other changes include the introduction of a new ‘batter zone’ to determine Wide deliveries on both the off and leg sides, while the existing 60-second stop clock will now apply to the batting team as well as the fielding side.

The batting team will receive two warnings for failing to be ready within the allotted time between overs. From the third offence onwards, the opposition will be awarded five penalty runs.

Season 5 will run from November 21 to December 20, 2026, featuring six franchises and some of the biggest names in international cricket.

Among the Afghan stars expected to feature are Rashid Khan and Fazalhaq Farooqi for MI Emirates, and Mohammad Nabi for Sharjah Warriorz, alongside a wider pool of Afghan players across the franchises.

The tournament opens on November 21 with Desert Vipers taking on MI Emirates in Dubai.

For Afghanistan, the guaranteed minimum of two players in every team’s starting XI is particularly significant, offering its cricketers increased exposure, valuable competitive experience and a prominent role in one of the region’s leading T20 competitions.

The season will be broadcast live and exclusively across Afghanistan on Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN). Fans can also follow ATN’s social media platforms for the latest updates, match schedules and further information throughout the competition.

Afghanistan ended the second day of the second Test against Zimbabwe at 159 for six after 48 overs, trailing by 180 runs at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Zimbabwe, who resumed day two with a strong position after reaching 250 for five on the opening day, were bowled out for 339 in 114.5 overs in their first innings.

Afghanistan faced a challenging task in reply but managed to score 159 runs while losing six wickets by the close of play.

With a deficit of 180 runs and four wickets remaining, Afghanistan will look to build a stronger batting performance on day three and reduce the gap.

The second Test remains finely poised, with Zimbabwe holding the advantage heading into the third day.