Noor Ahmad Ruled Out of CPL 2026 as Seifert Named His Replacement
By Ahmed Raza | Last updated: August 21, 2026
St Lucia Kings will be without Noor Ahmad for the remainder of CPL 2026 after the Afghanistan Cricket Board revoked his No-Objection Certificate, the franchise confirmed in a statement on Wednesday, August 19. The left-arm wristspinner never travelled to the West Indies for the tournament and will now miss it in its entirety.
Noor will no longer be available to represent the Saint Lucia Kings for the remainder of the tournament,” the Kings said, adding that the franchise was disappointed to lose him and wished him well. The statement did not detail why the ACB withdrew his clearance.
Ahmad was central to the Kings’ title-winning campaign in 2024, playing all 12 matches that season and finishing as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 22 scalps at an economy rate of 6.19. His association with the franchise dates back to 2020, when he originally signed with the then-St Lucia Zouks but missed that season because of visa complications. His absence this year comes shortly before Afghanistan’s three-match T20I series against India in Delhi, which begins September 13, where he is expected to feature.
To offset the loss, the Kings confirmed that New Zealand opening batter and wicketkeeper Tim Seifert is on his way to Saint Lucia and will link up with the squad shortly. Seifert, who was already part of the Kings’ overseas roster for the 2026 season, is expected to slot in at the top of the order or at No. 3, adding power-hitting to a batting lineup already featuring the likes of Charith Asalanka.
The timing is significant for the Kings, who currently sit third in the CPL 2026 points table with two wins and two losses from four matches. Ahmad’s departure leaves a gap in a spin attack that also includes Maheesh Theekshana. At the same time, Seifert’s arrival strengthens a top order as the Kings continue their campaign through the tournament’s group stage.
