Shaheen Afridi reports LPL incident to Anti-Corruption Unit after selection mix-up

COLOMBO: Pakistan's left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has reportedly lodged a complaint with the Lanka Premier League (LPL) Anti-Corruption Unit after an administrative error left him out of a match despite being informed he would feature as an Impact Player.

Media reports state that the Pakistan ODI captain was so frustrated by the incident that he decided to return home before franchise officials and league organisers apologised and persuaded him to remain in the tournament.

Media reports state that ahead of Kandy Royals' match against Colombo Capitals, Shaheen was informed by the team management that he would feature as an Impact Player.

The Impact Player rule, first introduced in the Indian Premier League (IPL), allows a team to substitute a nominated player during the match. The replacement player can either bat or bowl their full quota of four overs, while the substituted player takes no further part in the game.

However, after Kandy Royals opted to bat first, the team's coach reportedly informed Shaheen during the innings that, due to an analyst's mistake, his name had not been included on the official team sheet as the designated Impact Player.

The unexpected development left the Pakistani pacer shocked, prompting him to report the matter to an official from the tournament's Anti-Corruption Unit.

The incident was subsequently brought to the attention of the match referee, after which franchise officials and league organisers apologised to Shaheen and convinced him not to leave the tournament.

Shaheen has featured in three matches during the competition, claiming figures of 1/41 in his first outing, followed by 1/32 in his second appearance and 2/34 in his third. He did not play in his team's most recent fixture.

Several other Pakistan representatives are also involved in the tournament, including Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Wasim Jr. and Akif Javed, while Asif Yaqoob is officiating as an umpire.

Meanwhile, an LPL spokesperson confirmed that the issue involving Shaheen Afridi resulted from the submission of an incorrect team sheet to the match referee.