Lanka Premier League 2020: Shahid Afridi Misses Flight, May Miss Galle Gladiators' First Match

Ahead of the upcoming Lanka Premier League (LPL), former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi on Monday missed his flight to Sri Lanka and as a result, he may miss Galle Gladiators' first match in the tournament. Whenever Afridi lands in Sri Lanka, he will have to undergo the mandatory quarantine period, and as a result, he may miss the initial matches of Gladiators. "Missed my flight to Colombo today morning. Nothing to worry, I'll be reaching soon to take part in the LPL for Galle Gladiators. Look forward to joining my teammates," Afridi tweeted.

Missed my flight to Colombo today morning
Nothing to worry, I'll be reaching soon to take part in the LPL for Galle Gladiators. Look forward to joining my teammates

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) November 23, 2020

If Afridi indeed misses the matches, then Bhanuka Rajapaksa will be leading the team. Galle Gladiators will play their first match on November 27 against Jaffna Stallions.

Earlier, Galle Gladiators had appointed Afridi as their captain and domestic talent Bhanuka Rajapaksa as his deputy for the upcoming Lanka Premier League (LPL).

Afridi last featured in the recently-concluded Pakistan Super League play-offs. He took three wickets and scored 12 runs in two games for Multan Sultans.

LPL's inaugural season will start this week despite star players including Chris Gayle, Lasith Malinga, and others pulling out of the tournament.

In the LPL, five franchisee teams, named after Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Dambulla and Jaffna will compete in 23 matches.

Colombo will take on Kandy in the opening match of LPL at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota on November 26.

The semi-finals will be played on December 13 and 14. The final will be played on December 16.

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