The exciting Kabul Premier League (KPL) Season 2 Players Draft took place in the city on Tuesday morning much to the excitement of the country's cricket fans.The gala event, which brought together Afghanistan's cricket fraternity, was broadcast live and exclusively on Ariana Television Network, which secured the rights earlier this year to produce and broadcast this year's tournament.Addressing the event on Tuesday, Mujeeburahman Baheer, the head of Ariana News, pointed out that Ariana Television Network (ATN), including Ariana News, is committed to making sure people in Afghanistan have access to world-class sporting events.He said: &Ariana TV has always tried to bring sports to people's homes.This year's T20 league extravaganza & which is a great source of hope for young cricketers in the country & will take place in Kabul at the Ayoubi Sports Complex and will start on June 4.Also addressing Tuesday's event was Nazeem Jar Abdulrahimzai, the domestic cricket manager for the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB).He said he believes that Ayoubi Sports Complex can organize an even better league event this year compared to last year's event.He also thanked all those who have invested time and money into developing and supporting cricket in the country.Abdul Latif Ayoubi, head of Ayoubi Sports Complex, meanwhile said challenges faced last year had been smoothed out and that conditions have since improved for this year's tournament.Ayoubi also announced the addition of another team this year.Last year there were five teams, this year there will be six.
He said this decision was taken so as to provide more players with the opportunity to take part in the league.Seyyed Khan, the head of the Ayoubi Sports Complex, also addressed guests at the event and said: &This year, a lot of effort has been made to be able to present an improved league that meets the standards; the shortcomings last year regarding the field and other areas have been addressed.Kabul Premier League (KPL)Last year's tournament was the first KPL and included five teams; these were Ayoubi Kabul Zalmi, Band-e-Amir Stars, Shaheen Hunters, Shamshad Eagles and Speenghar Warriors.This year, Kabul Knight Riders have been added to the mix.The trophy was lifted last year by Shaheen Hunters.The Kabul Premier League aims to not only promote cricket in the country but also serves as a platform for emerging talent to showcase their skills.Kabul Premier League (KPL) Players Draft CeremonyTuesday's Player Draft was divided into three groups.
Diamond, Gold and Silver.
Band-e-Amir Stars picked up the first player.The list of players drafted are as follows:Band-e-Amir Stars1.
Hazratullah Zazai 2.
Nejat Masoud, 3.
Farmanullah Safi4.
Akram Alikhel5.
Irfanullah Safi6.
Sharafuddin Ashraf (all-rounder)7.
Navid Obeid (batsman) 8.
Nasir Khan (bowler)9.
Fridon Khan (fast bowler)10.
Emil Shahin11.
Haroon Khan12.
Qamar Shams13.
Abdulsalam Hasheibi14.
Biryal Afghan15.
Aqdam Khan ShirzadShaheen Hunters1.
Hijaz Ahmadzai (batsman)2.
Abdul Malik3.
Azharul Haq Navid4.
Imran Mir5.
Asif Musazai6.
Zahid Afghan (fast bowler)7.
Mohammadullah Hamkar (fast bowler)8.
Sadiq Pacha9.
Uzirullah Khamosh10.
Wasim Mangal11.
Seyed Khan Niazi (fast bowler)12.
Ata Zarmal (wicket keeper)13.
Ismat Habibi14.
Mashoq Totakhel15.
Ruhollah ArabShamshad Eagles1.
Shahidullah Kamal, (batsman)2.
Ehsanullah Janat3.
Numan Shah, (all-rounder)4.
Ali Ahmad Naser5.
Bashir Ahmad (fast bowler)6.
Kamel Kaker7.
Abdallah Tarakhel (all-rounder)8.
Dastgir Khan9.
Wahid Shafaq10.
Khayal Mohammad11.
Rahim Mangal12.
Abdul Baqi Popel13.
Yahya Khan14.
Murad Ali15.
Juma GulKabul Knight Riders1.
Riaz Hassan (batsman)2.
Naser Jamal3.
Zahed Khan Paktin4.
Yusuf Shah5.
Mohammad Riaz (all-rounder)6.
Zubid Akbari (batsman)7.
Yama Arab (bowler) 8.
Moheb Zurmati9.
Wahid Zadran10.
Arab Momand11.
Ishaq Saqi12.
Rahman Shah13.
Sabawon Boniri14.
Azam Khan15.
Salam KakerAyoubi Kabul Zalmi1.
Qais Ahmad (bowler)2.
Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar3.
Zia ul-Rahman Sharifi (bowler)4.
Masoud Gurbaz5.
Sohail Khan Zarmati (batsman)6.
Sami Bilal (fast bowler)7.
Mohammad Wasim Akram8.
Ibrahim Abdul Rahimzai (fast bowler)9.
Darvish Rasouli10.
Saber Hanif11.
Rahmanullah Zadran12.
Shams Karokhil13.
Rozuddin Afghan14.
Juma Din 15.
Zafar AlozaiSpeenghar Warriors1.
Samiullah Shinwari (batsman)2.
Hamza Hotak3.
Wafadar Momand4.
Waqarullah Ishaqzai5.
Hassan Isakhel6.
Lal Baz (fast bowler)7.
Osman Noori8.
Jalad Musazai 9.
Mahbob Tasken10.
Jalal Stanekzai11.
Akbar Ali12.
Salman Shinwari13.
Khaled Niazi14.
Rahman Zurmati15.
Noorullah AyubiOnce the draft wrapped up, the highly-sought after KPL trophy was displayed.For cricket fans across the country, ATN will broadcast KPL matches live and exclusively from early next month.For breaking news and updates, fans can stay tuned to Ariana Television and Ariana News& websites and social media platforms, where all KPL news will be posted.The post Six KPL cricket teams snap up 15 players each in this year's draft first appeared on Ariana News.