PCB may stop Afridi from playing in SLPL

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has said it can ban Shahid Afridi from participating in the inaugural Sri Lanka Premier League (SLPL) if the former Pakistan captain doesn't stop his rants against the board. 

Earlier this month, the PCB granted Afridi a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to play for Hamp shire in English Twenty20 league after their bitter dispute was settled out of court.

But Afridi's continued tirade has irked the PCB and some top officials are not in favour of granting him an NOC to play in SLPL to be held in Colombo during July-August.

Quoting an unnamed PCB official, Express Tribune reported on Thursday that the Board will not hesitate in taking action against Afridi in case of 'foul play'.

Afridi, after a long stand-off with the PCB that also involved a legal battle, finally left for England to play for Hampshire after getting his NOC back.

Akhtar pulls out of Sri Lanka League, says he has had enough

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar Thursday pulled out of the inaugural Sri Lanka Premier League (SLPL) citing personal reasons, and said he does not want play the game any more.

Akhtar, who retired from international cricket after Pakistan's loss to India in the World Cup semifinals, said he has had enough of the game and wants to explore the other side of life.

'My parents are old and I want to spend time with them,' he was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

'I also don't want to play or want to be on the ground any more. I am not even coming back for a job in cricket or anything, but if some youngster needs my help I will visit from time to time to help them but no more of this game.'

'I want to explore other parts of the world now. I played this game for 18 years and I don't want to spend another 18 years in that scenario any more. I am going to be involved in charity work from now on.'

The Rawalpindi Express as he was called was roped in for SLPL along with other international players such as his compatriot Shahid Afridi, Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Herschelle Gibbs, Daniel Vettori and Kevin O'Brien.

The T20 event will take place between July 19 and August 4 in the island-nation.

Pakistan mulls Zimbabwe for Sri Lanka series

Lahore: Pakistan are considering the option of Zimbabwe as a potential 'host' for the home series against Sri Lanka later this year.

The two sides are due to play a full Test and limited-overs series in October, scheduled in the FTP officially as a 'home' series for Pakistan. The board has intensified efforts to find a home for the series over the last few months. Sri Lanka itself is an option that has been considered, one Sri Lanka is probably happiest with; in 2009-10, Pakistan played a 'home' series against New Zealand in New Zealand itself, though financially the trip wasn't a success.

The PCB also asked Sri Lanka Cricket in May, "for their views" on the prospect of playing the series in Pakistan - at the insistence of the Pakistan government. However, that offer was swiftly rebuffed. Soon after the PCB had made their request, a major terrorist attack in Karachi at a naval base - which was eventually held under siege overnight - near the National Stadium occurred.

PCB released Pakistan players to play in SLPL

Up to eight top Pakistan players are likely to be in the running to play in the first edition of the Sri Lanka Premier League (SLPL), allowing players from that country to finally benefit from some of the riches on offer in lucrative Twenty20 leagues around the world. The SLPL, likely to feature players from around the world, is scheduled to be held at the end of July and beginning of August this year, a window in the FTP where Pakistan has no commitments currently.

Both Pakistan captains - Shahid Afridi from the limited overs side and Misbah-ul-Haq from the Test side - have been approached, as have Shoaib Akhtar, Shoaib Malik and Umar Gul.

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