Shahid Afridi named Gladiators captain, Kamran Akmal withdraws ahead of LPL

The Galle Gladiators have named star all-rounder Shahid Afridi as the captain of the franchise ahead of the Lanka Premier League (LPL).

Afridi was given the responsibility as wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed, who was initially set to lead the side, was ruled out of the event after being named in Pakistan’s squad for New Zealand tour.

Sri Lanka’s top-order batsman Bhanuka Rajapaksa has been named as the vice-captain of the side.

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Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal, who was set to play for Dambulla Hawks, has also withdrawn from the event due to shoulder injury — which also kept him out of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) playoffs and the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

“On advice from doctors, I have decided against playing the tournament,” said Akmal while talking to Express News. “My flight was confirmed for Saturday morning but after assessing my MRI report, late last night, my doctor asked me to rest for a few more days before getting back on the field.”

The 23-match tournament is starting on November 26 and will conclude on December 17.