Former India players Vijay Shankar, KS Bharat and spinner Murugan Ashwin have registered for the Afghanistan Premier League (APL) draft, which will take place in Dubai on Tuesday, November 3. Vijay Shankar and the other two players feature in the 462-member shortlist and have been placed in the Gold category.

Around 1,500 Afghan and overseas cricketers registered for the tournament, but organisers shortlisted 462 players after an evaluation process. The selected players have been divided into five categories: Platinum, Diamond, Gold, Silver and Emerging. Franchises will select their squads according to team requirements.

Vijay Shankar, KS Bharat and Murugan Ashwin Feature in APL Gold Category

Vijay Shankar and Murugan Ashwin have retired from Indian domestic cricket and the IPL to pursue opportunities in overseas leagues. Both are registered as Indian nationals, while KS Bharat, who has shifted base, is listed as an Indian player residing in the UAE.

Vijay Shankar represented Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans in the IPL. Bharat represented Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Capitals, GT and Kolkata Knight Riders. Ashwin played for six IPL teams, including Rising Pune Supergiant, Punjab Kings, Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals.

The shortlist also features several other players of Indian origin representing associate teams. Unmukt Chand from the United States, Rahul Chopra, Akshdeep Nath, Alishan Sharafu, Aryan Afzal Khan and Dhruv Parashar from the UAE, Ayaan Khan from Oman, Vraj Patel from Kenya and Yasin Patel from Kuwait.

Mohammad Amir Enters APL Draft in Platinum Category

Former Pakistan international Mohammad Amir is another notable name in the draft. The 34-year-old fast bowler has acquired British citizenship and is listed in the register as a Pakistan national residing in the United Kingdom. He has been placed in the top-tier Platinum category.

Amir is also expected to register for the IPL mini-auction scheduled to take place in Goa on December 16. Former Pakistan international Azhar Mahmood played in the IPL for Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders between 2012 and 2015 while holding a British passport.

The fast bowler has represented Pakistan in 36 Tests, 61 ODIs and 62 T20Is. His last international appearance came against Ireland during the ICC T20 World Cup in June 2024 in Lauderhill, Florida.

Rashid Khan, Ibrahim Zadran to Lead Five APL Franchises

The APL will feature five franchises representing Balkh, Kabul, Kandahar, Nangarhar and Paktia. Organisers recently completed the Captains Draft, confirming the players who will lead the teams ahead of the tournament's inaugural season in December 2026.

Star leg-spinner Rashid Khan will captain Kandahar, while opener Ibrahim Zadran will lead Balkh. All-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai has been named captain of Kabul, Rahmat Shah will lead Paktia, and wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz will take charge of Nangarhar.

With the captains confirmed, the franchises will now focus on completing their squads through the November 3 players' draft. The 462 shortlisted cricketers across the five categories will be available for selection according to the league's squad-building rules.