Shahid Afridi leaves Lanka Premier League

It is not known what the emergency is, but Afridi leaves his Galle Gladiators side after three matches. The side are yet to win in the inaugural edition of the Lanka Premier League

Former Pakistan allrounder Shahid Afridi has left the Lanka Premier League after releasing a statement on Twitter.

"Unfortunately I have a personal emergency to attend to back home," Afridi said.

The 45-year-old then explained that he will be back playing before the competition is over.

"I will return to join back my team at LPL immediately after the situation is handled. All the best," he added.

It is not known what the emergency is, but Afridi leaves his Galle Gladiators side after three matches. The side are yet to win in the inaugural edition of the Lanka Premier League.

Afridi was named captain of the franchise after Sri Lanka's Lasith Malinga and Pakistan's Sarfaraz Ahmed pulled out due to a lack of preparation and international commitments respectively.

Vice-captain Bhanuka Rajapaksa is expected to take over as captain in Afridi's absence.

Gift a subscription to The Cricketer this Christmas and choose your free gift (a £20 John Lewis gift card or copy of Bob Willis: A Cricketer & A Gentleman). Subscribe here 

Subscribe to The Cricketer for exclusive content every day: The inside track on England's Test tour with George Dobell in Pakistan, award-winning analysis, breaking news and interviews and the only place for in-depth county coverage all year round. Plus: An ad-free app experience at your fingertips. Subscribe to thecricketer.com today for just £1.