COLOMBO: Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi reportedly lodged a complaint with an anti-corruption official after being unexpectedly left out during a Lanka Premier League (LPL) match because of what organizers described as an administrative error.
According to reports, Afridi was informed by the Kandy Royals management before their match against Colombo Caps that he would feature as an “Impact Player” under the tournament’s playing regulations.
However, during Kandy’s innings, the coaching staff reportedly told him that his name had not been included as the designated Impact Player due to a mistake by the team’s analyst.
The unexpected omission reportedly angered Afridi, who brought the matter to the attention of an anti-corruption unit official and initially decided to return to Pakistan.
The issue was later referred to the match referee, after which the team management and league organizers apologized to the Pakistan pacer and persuaded him to remain with the squad.
An LPL spokesperson said the incident resulted from the submission of an incorrect team sheet to the match referee and denied any wrongdoing beyond the administrative mistake.
The Lanka Premier League has already faced controversy this season, including the arrest of the former owner of Jaffna Kings on alleged match-fixing charges before the tournament began. Sri Lanka Cricket is currently overseeing the franchise’s affairs.
