Two wrist-spinners, one keeper-captain, and a 2018 record
Paktia picked last in the Platinum round, and it worked out. Wanindu Hasaranga, Sri Lanka’s leg-spinning all-rounder, was still there, and Paktia took him. Then came Noor Ahmad and Bangladesh fast bowler Nahid Rana in Diamond, and Ijaz Ahmadzai, Colin Munro, David Wiese and Hashmatullah Shahidi in Gold. Two frontline wrist-spinners in one squad is a luxury in any T20 league; in the UAE, it is a plan.
The 2018 side from the city was Paktia Panthers, and it had the tournament’s top scorer — Mohammad Shahzad, with 344 runs — and Isuru Udana’s 17 wickets. That club is not this club, and its record stays with it. Shahzad, the 2018 top scorer, now plays for Kandahar Warriors. Paktia start 2026-27 with a blank record: played 0, won 0.
The captain is the man the city already knows. Rahmanullah Gurbaz opens the batting and keeps wicket for Afghanistan, and he leads a squad that bats deep: Munro, Shahidi, Wiese and Gerhard Erasmus — who captains Namibia — have all batted in the top six for their countries, and Olly Stone’s pace leads the seam attack. Azhar Mahmood coaches the side, with Waqar Younis as mentor.
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Paktia squad
Nineteen players are verified for APL 2026-27, from the ACB draft release of 3 November 2026 in Dubai. Wanindu Hasaranga was the Platinum pick, Noor Ahmad and Nahid Rana came in Diamond, and Colin Munro, David Wiese and Hashmatullah Shahidi were among the Gold picks. Azhar Mahmood is head coach, with Waqar Younis as mentor.
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Captain) | Wicketkeeper-batter |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | All-rounder |
| Noor Ahmad | Bowler |
| Nahid Rana | Bowler |
| Ijaz Ahmadzai | — |
| Farmanullah Safi | — |
| Colin Munro | Batter |
| David Wiese | All-rounder |
| Hashmatullah Shahidi | Batter |
| Hasibullah Lakanwal | — |
| Nangeyalia Khan | — |
| Gerhard Erasmus | All-rounder |
| Olly Stone | Bowler |
| Masoodulrahman Gurbaz | — |
| Abid Mohammadi | — |
| Khalid Taniwal | — |
| Wahidullah Zadran | — |
| Sediqullah Pacha | — |
| Khalil Ahmad Gurbaz | — |
Squad verified against the ACB draft release, 3 November 2026, Dubai. Roles marked — are not stated in the release. Captain: Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Head coach: Azhar Mahmood. Mentor: Waqar Younis.
What Paktia need to reach the playoffs
Five teams chase four playoff places, so one side goes home after the league stage. Each team plays eight league matches — each opponent twice — and a win is worth 2 points. Sixteen points is the maximum; four wins should be enough to stay in the race, and net run rate decides the ties. The table below is empty because the season has not started: every team begins on 0 points, and the first update comes after Match 1 on 27 December.
Paktia’s route should run through their spinners. If Hasaranga and Noor Ahmad take wickets in the middle overs the way they have everywhere else, Paktia will not need to chase the table — the table will come to them. SialTV will update this page after every match day, through the final on 20 January 2027.
| # | Team | P | W | L | Pts | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Akcel United Kabul | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2 | Balkh Zwanan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 3 | Kandahar Warriors | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 4 | Nangarhar Cosmic | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 5 | Paktia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Pre-season table — every team starts on 0 points. The first update comes after Match 1 on 27 December 2026.
Paktia’s fixtures — dates still to be announced
The Afghanistan Cricket Board has not published the full fixture list, so Paktia’s dates, opponents and grounds are all still to be announced. No predicted schedule is shown here — the dates circulating online are not official. What is confirmed is the shape of the season: first ball on Sunday 27 December 2026 at 5:30 PM Afghanistan time (5:00 PM Dubai time) in the UAE, 20 league matches, three playoffs and the final on Wednesday 20 January 2027.
Paktia play eight league matches, two against each of the other four teams. Their fixtures will be added to this page the day the ACB publishes them, and the full list will be on the APL Schedule page.
Where Paktia look strong — and where the questions are
The spin is the story. Hasaranga and Noor Ahmad are two of the best wrist-spinners in world cricket, and they bowl in the same team. In the UAE, where wrist spin has decided tournament after tournament, Paktia can take wickets in the middle overs while other sides are trying not to go for runs. Behind them, Farmanullah Safi and the Emerging picks fill out the attack.
The batting is just as deep. Gurbaz, Munro, Shahidi, Wiese and Erasmus have all batted in the top six for their countries, and Nahid Rana and Olly Stone give Mahmood genuine pace at both ends. The question is the same one every side faces — nineteen players who have never played together, with eight league matches to become a team — and whether two wrist-spinners are enough cover when the pitches flatten out.
Watch Nahid Rana. The Bangladesh fast bowler is the quickest in this squad, and on UAE pitches that have something in them early, he is the man who can take the top order out before the spinners even start. If Paktia’s plan works, Rana takes the wickets up front and Hasaranga and Noor finish the job.
Frequently asked questions
Who captains Paktia?
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the wicketkeeper-batter. He opens the batting and keeps wicket for Afghanistan.
Who coaches Paktia?
Azhar Mahmood is head coach, with Waqar Younis as mentor.
Why are Paktia’s spinners special?
Paktia have two frontline wrist-spinners in one squad: Wanindu Hasaranga, the Platinum pick, and Noor Ahmad, the Diamond pick. In the UAE, where wrist spin has decided tournament after tournament, that is the plan the whole team is built around.
When do Paktia play their first match?
Their first match date has not been announced — the ACB has not published the full fixture list. The season starts on Sunday 27 December 2026, and Paktia’s fixtures will be added here as soon as they are confirmed.
More APL coverage
- APL Schedule — Fixtures, dates and format.
- APL Points Table — Standings and the playoff race.
- APL Results — Every result, once the season starts.
- APL Live Scores — The next match and live updates.
- APL Stats — Top scorers, wicket takers and records.
- APL Tickets — Availability and official channels.
- APL Teams — All five teams, captains, coaches and squads.
- Afghanistan Premier League — the season in full: schedule, teams, points table and where to watch.