Three England cricketers have pulled out of the draft for the inaugural Afghanistan Premier League (APL) after a backlash over English participation in the tournament.
Ollie Pope, Will Smeed and David Willey withdrew from the Afghanistan Premier League draft, scheduled for October 24, international media reported on Monday. Pope, who captained England last summer, was the only centrally contracted England player registered, having signed a new one-year deal only recently.
Reports say Pope decided before Rob Key, the ECB’s managing director of men’s cricket, spoke publicly on Monday.
Key urges players to take “moral stance”
Key told the BBC’s Test Match Special podcast that players should weigh the ethics of playing in the league, admitting the board could not easily block them.
“Legally, it’s hard to stop players from going over and playing in these competitions. It becomes a moral judgement, and players have to be prepared to take the right moral stance,” Key said.
“Personally, and it’s easy for me to say, I wouldn’t go and play in it, but it’s down, really, for the player to make that decision.”
Key also said he opposed the treatment of women in Afghanistan. He confirmed speaking to Pope about the draft but stressed the final call rested with the player.
ECB chair Richard Thompson said last week the board would need to “think very carefully” before granting no-objection certificates (NOCs) for the APL, acknowledging that Britain’s restraint-of-trade laws could make it hard to stop players joining overseas leagues.
Why the Afghanistan Premier League draft is controversial
The ECB has refused to play bilateral cricket against Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, citing the treatment of women and girls. The two sides have continued to meet at global tournaments, including the World Cups and the Champions Trophy.
Thompson has previously described the Taliban’s curbs on women and girls as “gender apartheid”.
Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi, who led boycott calls before England faced Afghanistan at the 2025 Champions Trophy, has criticised the league and urged the ICC not to sanction it.
Players are often registered for franchise drafts by their agents, so some may not have known they were entered until the criticism surfaced.
Malan defends players still in the draft
Not every English player has pulled out. Former England batter Dawid Malan remains registered and defended his position on the same podcast.
“As players, we take our guidance from the ICC and the boards,” Malan said.
Malan said he understood concerns about restrictions on women in Afghanistan, noting he has a daughter he wants to see play sport, but added cricketers had to earn a living: “I’m a cricketer. I need to be able to pay my rent and I need to be able to earn a living while I can, so as long as it’s been approved by the boards, I am happy to go.”
Other English players reported to be registered include Moeen Ali, Jason Roy, James Vince, Reece Topley and Luke Wood.
League faces an uncertain future
The inaugural APL is planned for the United Arab Emirates, due to begin on December 27. But its prospects look shaky: international media reported last week that only three of the five franchises had been sold, with one source calling the league’s chances “touch and go”.
Pope, who has played 64 Tests for England, was recalled to the Test squad for the home summer series against Pakistan. Back home, Pakistan’s white-ball focus stays on their own T20 form after Sahibzada Farhan’s side sealed a 2-0 series win over Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi, where Farhan backed the team’s aggressive approach. Afghanistan, meanwhile, were recently in Test action against Bangladesh, a series featuring Ramiz Raja on the commentary panel and a big first-innings total for Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi.
Why did Ollie Pope withdraw from the Afghanistan Premier League draft?
Pope withdrew from the October 24 draft amid growing criticism of English players’ involvement in the APL. Reports say he made the decision before ECB managing director Rob Key publicly urged players to take the “moral stance”.
When is the Afghanistan Premier League draft?
The draft for the inaugural APL is scheduled for October 24, with the tournament planned to begin in the United Arab Emirates on December 27, though its future remains uncertain.
Which England players are still in the APL draft?
Dawid Malan remains registered and has defended his participation. Other English players reported to be in the draft include Moeen Ali, Jason Roy, James Vince, Reece Topley and Luke Wood.
Why is the APL controversial?
The ECB has not played bilateral cricket against Afghanistan since 2021 over the Taliban’s treatment of women and girls. Critics, including MP Tonia Antoniazzi, argue English players should not take part in a league linked to Afghanistan while those restrictions remain.
