Impact Player Omission Sparks Serious Dispute
Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi lodged a complaint with the Lanka Premier League Anti-Corruption Unit after being excluded from a Kandy Royals match.
The incident occurred before Kandy’s fixture against the Colombo Capitals.
Team officials reportedly told Afridi that he would participate as an Impact Player.
Under the rule, teams nominate substitute options before the match begins.
A nominated player can replace a member of the starting team during the game.
The substituted player cannot return after being replaced.
However, Afridi’s name was missing from Kandy Royals’ official list of nominated Impact Players.
The problem was discovered after Kandy elected to bat first.
A member of the coaching staff reportedly informed Afridi that the team analyst had mistakenly omitted his name.
The unexpected exclusion surprised and angered the Pakistan pacer.
He then reported the matter to an official from the tournament’s Anti-Corruption Unit.
Afridi Considered Returning Home
Afridi reportedly viewed the omission as a serious matter because he had been assured of his participation before the match.
Sources said he initially decided to leave the tournament and return to Pakistan.
The matter was later brought to the attention of the match referee and league organisers.
Kandy Royals officials and tournament representatives intervened to prevent the dispute from escalating.
They apologised to Afridi and explained that his exclusion resulted from an administrative mistake.
The fast bowler was eventually persuaded to remain with the franchise.
Therefore, reports claiming that Afridi has already left the LPL are inaccurate.
He considered withdrawing but stayed in the competition after receiving assurances from officials.
An LPL spokesperson also confirmed that an incorrect team sheet had been submitted to the match referee.
The league maintained that the omission was not deliberate.
No evidence has been publicly presented suggesting that the incident involved corruption or match manipulation.
Afridi’s decision to approach the Anti-Corruption Unit reflected his concern over the unusual circumstances surrounding his exclusion.
LPL Faces Scrutiny as Afridi Continues Tournament
Afridi joined Kandy Royals before the sixth edition of the Lanka Premier League.
The 2026 tournament began on July 17 and is scheduled to continue until August 8.
The left-arm pacer has appeared in three matches during the competition.
He recorded figures of one wicket for 41 runs in his opening appearance.
Afridi then claimed two wickets for 34 runs in his second match.
He followed that performance with one wicket for 32 runs in his third outing.
He did not participate in the match affected by the team-sheet controversy.
Several other Pakistani players are also participating in the tournament.
They include Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan and Mohammad Wasim Jr.
Former Pakistan coach Aaqib Javed is involved in a coaching role, while Asif Yaqoob is serving as an umpire.
The dispute has placed additional attention on team administration and transparency within the competition.
Franchises are responsible for submitting accurate playing lists and substitute nominations before matches.
An error involving a leading international player can create questions about communication, planning and tournament procedures.
League officials will now face pressure to ensure similar mistakes do not occur again.
Afridi remains part of Kandy Royals following the apology and clarification.
