Afghanistan’s top domestic talent, including U-19 World Cup semi-finalists, feature in the sixth edition of the Mirwais Nika tournament in Kandahar and Helmand.
Kandahar | by Niaz Shinwari
The sixth edition of the e& Mirwais Nika Regional Three-Day Tournament, powered by SuperCola, is underway in Kandahar and Helmand, reinforcing Afghanistan’s domestic cricket structure at a critical stage of player development.
The competition brings together five regional teams representing different zones of the country, combining experienced domestic performers with emerging talent. Notably, players from Afghanistan’s U-19 national team—fresh from a semi-final finish at the ICC Men’s U-19 Cricket World Cup 2026—are also participating, highlighting the tournament’s role as a bridge between youth and senior-level cricket.
In addition to youth prospects, the squads include standout performers from the recent Grade I provincial competitions and a number of centrally contracted domestic players, ensuring a competitive balance between experience and development.
The tournament, organized in partnership with e& and SuperCola, began on April 5 and will continue until April 23, with matches split across venues in both provinces.
The Mirwais Nika Regional Three-Day Tournament has become a cornerstone of Afghanistan Cricket Board’s domestic calendar, particularly in strengthening the longer format of the game. By integrating top provincial performers, contracted players, and national youth representatives, the tournament reflects a broader strategic effort to build depth in Afghanistan’s cricket pipeline. Its continued expansion underscores the growing institutional focus on structured domestic com