The BCCI has turned down a request from Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) authorities to host its T20 league - the Afghanistan Premier League (APL) - in India. 

Having contributed massively to the growth of Afghanistan cricket, this decision from the Indian board comes as a huge surprise to everyone. 

However, a BCCI official reasoned out the move to PTI on Tuesday (June 18) saying, "The ACB did request us to host its league in India but it would not be appropriate considering we have our own league (the IPL)."

The request from ACB officials was conveyed to the BCCI CEO Rahul Johri and GM Cricket Operations Saba Karim during their meeting in Mumbai on May 16. Although, the board has no issues in granting Lucknow as Afghanistan's third home ground in India after Dehradun and Greater Noida. The ACB in that meeting had asked for a new and more tourist-friendly venue to able to host regular international cricket on these shores. 

"Since Dehradun doesn't have a five-star hotel, hosting teams is an issue. We would prefer it to be Lucknow," ACB CEO Asadullah Khan was quoted as saying. 

The inaugural season of Afghanistan Premier League (APL) was played in Sharjah from 5-21 October, 2018. Five teams took part in the competition with Mohammad Nabi-led Balkh Legend winning the title. The event featured overseas cricketers like Chris Gayle, Brendon McCullum, Ben Cutting, Shahid Afridi, Colin Ingram and Colin Munro.

Good news for ACB is that BCCI is considering the request to allow 10 of its coaches to work with the support staff of leading Ranji Trophy teams during the domestic season. 

"It will be a great learning experience for our coaches as they will get to be with the best in the business," Khan said.