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.

Turkish police have detained 35 Afghan migrants attempting to cross into Greece by sea in the northwestern province of Balikesir, while four suspects accused of migrant smuggling were also apprehended.

Police seized 12 life jackets, lifebuoys and three pumps during the operation.

Following police procedures, three of the four suspects were remanded in custody by a court, while the fourth was released under judicial supervision.

The 35 Afghan migrants were transferred to an Irregular Migrant Pre-Reception and Referral Center.

Mullah Abdul Wasi, Chief of Staff of the Office of the Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), held a video conference with Richard Lindsay, the United Kingdom’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, to discuss regional developments and efforts to resolve issues between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

According to a statement released by the PM’s office, James Belmonti, a Political Affairs Officer at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and Faiz Mohammad Wafamel, a political adviser, also participated in the meeting.

During the conference, Abdul Wasi thanked the United Kingdom for its humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and for its efforts, alongside other friendly countries, to help overcome the current issues between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

He said the Islamic Emirate seeks positive engagement with neighbouring countries, regional states and the international community based on Afghanistan’s national interests and mutual respect, adding that the IEA supports peace and stability in the region.

For his part, Lindsay said the UK was closely monitoring the regional situation and had held meetings and consultations with both sides regarding the issues between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

He added that he would travel to Pakistan in the near future to hold discussions with Pakistani officials on the related issues and facilitate dialogue and better understanding between the sides.

Abdul Wasi said the Islamic Emirate attaches great importance to resolving disputes peacefully with neighbouring countries, regional states and the international community, in line with its foreign policy focused on economic engagement.

He also described Afghans as a peace-loving nation with considerable skills and experience in resolving disputes through negotiations.