The Lankan Premier League (LPL) management was jolted once more after Pakistan’s hard-hitting batsman Asif Ali opted out of the tournament. The 29-year-old followed Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal who had decided to skip the tournament due to a shoulder injury.

According to sources, Ali made the decision inorder to represent the Northern side in the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam (QeA) Trophy. The batsman prioritised trophy matches over the league matches in Sri Lanka despite a deal to play for the Jaffna Stallions.

Ali has communicated personal reasons for his decision to opt-out of the tournament to the management of Jaffna Stallions. The batsman is currently featuring in QeA Trophy matches in Karachi. He is looking to make a comeback into the national side by putting in good performances in the domestic circuit.

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Matches, scheduled to begin on November 26, are to be played at Hambantota stadium with no spectators allowed.

The league was postponed three times over the pandemic.