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Pakistan National Cricket Team fast bowler Shaheen Afridi is set to play in the 2026 Lanka Premier League after receiving a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to represent Kandy Royals.
The left-arm pacer will feature in the franchise tournament despite Pakistan's ongoing Test season, having been left out of the national squad for the upcoming Test tours of the West Indies and England.
Shaheen Afridi dropped from the Pakistan Test squad
Shaheen Afridi was one of the biggest omissions when Pakistan named their squads for the two-Test series against the West Indies and the three-Test tour of England. The left-arm pacer, along with Hasan Ali and veteran spinner Noman Ali, was dropped after Pakistan's disappointing 2-0 defeat against Bangladesh earlier this year.
The selectors decided to overhaul the bowling attack following concerns over the pace unit's performances. Pakistan are currently at the bottom of the World Test Championship standings with just one win from four matches, prompting the management to introduce fresh faces into the squad.
Chief selector and director of high performance Aaqib Javed explained that the decision was based on evidence collected during the team's recent camp, including speed-gun data that showed Pakistan's fast bowlers were struggling to maintain their pace deep into Test matches.
The selectors recalled Mohammad Ali and Aamir Jamal, while Ubaid Shah earned his maiden Test call-up alongside left-arm spinner Ali Usman and batter Awais Zafar.
Afridi's exclusion had appeared likely even before the squad announcement after he was not included in Pakistan's red-ball training camp at the National Cricket Academy. Since returning from a knee injury in 2023, the left-arm quick has struggled to rediscover his best form in Test cricket. He has managed only 27 wickets in 16 innings at an average of 40.11, and his pace has also come under scrutiny.
Aaqib indicated that Pakistan's new central contract system, which is based on formats, allows players to focus on the formats that best suit them. He described Shaheen Afridi as an outstanding bowler but suggested that managing workloads across formats has become increasingly important.
Shaheen Afridi receives PCB clearance for LPL move amid Test season
With no involvement in Pakistan's Test plans over the next two months, Shaheen Afridi has now been granted permission by the PCB to participate in the Lanka Premier League.
The left-arm fast bowler has secured an NOC to join Kandy Royals for the 2026 edition of the tournament, allowing him to remain active in competitive cricket while Pakistan are engaged in the red-ball season.
The move also fits into the PCB's format-based planning. Since Shaheen Afridi is currently outside the Test set-up, the board has allowed him to play franchise cricket rather than remain inactive during the lengthy Test window.
The LPL has attracted several international players in recent seasons, and Shaheen Afridi's presence will further strengthen Kandy Royals' pace attack. It also gives the Pakistan quick an opportunity to continue playing high-level T20 cricket as he looks to cement his place in Pakistan's white-ball sides.
A successful LPL campaign could also help Shaheen Afridi build momentum before Pakistan return to limited-overs cricket later in the year, with the fast bowler expected to remain an integral part of the country's ODI and T20I plans despite his omission from the current Test squad.
Pakistan's upcoming Test series schedule
Pakistan's new-look Test side will begin its five-match overseas assignment with a two-Test series against the West Indies. The opening Test is scheduled to start on July 25 at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, while the second Test will be played at Queen's Park Oval from August 2 to August 6.
Following the Caribbean tour, Pakistan will travel to England for a three-Test series. The first Test will be held at Headingley from August 19 to 23, followed by the second at Lord's from August 27 to 31. The series will conclude at Edgbaston, where the third Test is scheduled from September 9 to 13.
The five Tests will provide Pakistan's revamped squad with an opportunity to improve its position in the World Test Championship standings while establishing a new pace attack following the omission of Shaheen Afridi and other senior bowlers.
