Shaheen Shah Afridi Set to Make Lanka Premier League Debut with Kandy Royals
Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi is expected to feature in the 2026 Lanka Premier League (LPL) after signing with Kandy Royals, marking his first appearance in Sri Lanka’s premier franchise T20 competition.
The left-arm pacer is likely to receive the required No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), subject to the completion of the standard approval process.
Afridi Expected to Join Squad Ahead of Tournament
According to reports, Afridi is scheduled to travel to Sri Lanka to link up with the Kandy Royals before the start of the tournament.
His participation comes after growing anticipation among cricket fans, following a promotional campaign released by Sri Lanka Cricket that hinted at the arrival of a leading international fast bowler.
Another Major Franchise League for Pakistan Star
Afridi has built an impressive record across several franchise competitions around the world. During his career, he has represented teams in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Big Bash League (BBL), ILT20, The Hundred, and the Vitality Blast.
He has also enjoyed significant success in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he captained Lahore Qalandars to multiple championship titles and established himself as one of the league’s leading fast bowlers.
Several Pakistani Players to Feature in LPL
The 2026 Lanka Premier League will also include several other Pakistani cricketers across different franchises.
- Galle Gallants: Mohammad Nawaz
- Colombo Kaps: Mohammad Haris and Shahnawaz Dahani
- Dambulla Sixers: Mohammad Wasim Jr. and Sahibzada Farhan
Their participation is expected to add further international experience and strengthen competition throughout the tournament.
Tournament Schedule
The 2026 Lanka Premier League is scheduled to run from July 17 to August 8.
The opening fixture will see defending champions Jaffna Kings take on Galle Gallants, while five teams will compete for this year’s title:
- Jaffna Kings
- Colombo Kaps
- Kandy Royals
- Galle Gallants
- Dambulla Sixers
With several international stars and emerging local players in action, this season’s Lanka Premier League is expected to provide competitive cricket and valuable opportunities for players ahead of future international assignments.
