Pakistani Star Pacer Nearly Quits LPL Over Bizarre Error

Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi reportedly came close to leaving the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026 after an administrative error prevented him from playing for Kandy Royals despite assurances that he would feature as the team’s Impact Player.

Before Kandy’s match against Colombo Capitals, Afridi had been informed by the franchise management that he would be introduced during the contest under the Impact Player rule. However, the plan fell apart after Kandy chose to bat first.

During the innings, the team’s coach reportedly informed Afridi that his name had not been included on the official team sheet as the designated Impact Player because of an error by an analyst.

According to media reports, the Pakistan One Day International (ODI) captain was so frustrated by the unexpected omission that he decided to return home. However, officials intervened and persuaded him to remain with the franchise.

The Impact Player rule allows teams to nominate substitutes before a match, with one of those players permitted to replace a member of the starting eleven (XI) during the contest. The incoming player can take a full part in the match, including bowling a complete four-over quota, while the substituted player cannot return.

Because Afridi’s name was not included on the required list submitted to the match officials, Kandy were unable to introduce the Pakistan pacer despite originally planning to use him.

Afridi was reportedly shocked after learning about the mistake and immediately raised the issue with an official from the LPL’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU). The matter later reached the match referee, bringing both franchise officials and tournament organizers into the dispute.

Kandy Royals officials and league organizers eventually apologized to Afridi for the mistake. They managed to convince the left-arm fast bowler to continue playing in the tournament instead of cutting short his stint and returning to Pakistan.

An LPL spokesperson later confirmed that the controversy had been caused by an incorrect team sheet being submitted to the match referee.

Afridi has already played three matches in the tournament. He recorded figures of 1/41 in his first appearance, followed by 1/32 and 2/34 in his next two matches.

However, the Pakistan fast bowler was unable to take part in Kandy’s subsequent fixture because of the team-sheet error. What was intended to be a tactical Impact Player move instead became an unusual off-field controversy.

The incident ended without Afridi leaving the competition, but only after the matter had escalated from a selection mistake to the tournament’s ACU and match referee. An apology from the franchise and tournament organizers eventually helped resolve the situation.