Pakistan star all-rounder Shahid Afridi has signed up as one of the Icon players for the inaugural edition of the Afghanistan Premier League.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board and Snixer Sports held the APL T20 player draft in Dubai on Monday. A total of five teams representing as many regions of Afghanistan – Kabul, Kandahar, Nangarhar, Paktia and Balkh – will take part in the tournament.

The tournament, consisting of 23 matches, will take place from October 5-23 in Sharjah.

The player draft saw Afridi picked up as an Icon player for Team Paktia. Team Kabul picked star leg-spinner Rashid Khan as their top player, while Team Balkh went for West Indies icon Chris Gayle.

Team Nangarhar zeroed in on Caribbean all-rounder Andre Russell and Team Kandahar went for Kiwi ace Brendon McCullum.  Each team will comprise of a minimum of 17 and a maximum of 20 players.

Speaking at the occasion, Ashish Sethi, CEO Snixer Sports, investment partner for APL, said: “We have seen phenomenal interest from players from around the world.”

“Afghanistan has been growing in stature not just as a cricket loving country but also in serious talent. This league will not just provide long-term exposure to the players but will also be a good source of entertainment for the international audiences.”