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Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan (Source: Twitter)
Pakistan star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi joined the ILT20 side Desert Vipers on a three-year deal. He became the first-ever Pakistani player to sign for an ILT20 franchise. He’s expected to be in action when the league is played next in January. "I am excited to join the Desert Vipers. I know there are many Pakistan cricket fans in the UAE and I hope they will support our team in the upcoming ILT20," Afridi said in a statement.
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Interestingly, the Vipers tried signing Azam Khan last season which would have made him the first Pakistan player in the league. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) did not give him the No Objection Certificate in time leading to his inability to participate in the inaugural season of the league. The next season is scheduled to begin on January 13 and Shaheen will join the side after returning from Australia having played the New Year’s Test at Sydney.
‘Shaheen is a player of world-class calibre’ – Vipers director of cricket Tom Moody
"Shaheen is a player of world-class calibre who has had a significant impact not only for Pakistan but for every team he's played for in recent times," Vipers director of cricket Tom Moody said on their new signing. "He offers a huge amount as an impact pace bowler that has destroyed many, many top orders and he also boasts terrific leadership skills that will add a huge amount of value to the Desert Vipers moving forward."
Shaheen Shah Afridi will be joining a star-studded bowling line-up with white-ball experts like Wanindu Hasaranga, Matheesha Pathirana, Tom Curran, and Sheldon Cottrell among the ranks. The Vipers retained most of their players after the first season which includes their skipper Colin Munro and last season’s highest run-scorer, the opening batter Alex Hales.
Reportedly, the PCB administration led by chairman Zaka Ashraf has been lenient with players willing to play in franchise leagues around the word. Such was not the case under Ramiz Raja. Notably, a change started under the previous interim chairman Najam Sethi who negotiated with ILT20 to pave the way for making Pakistani players available to play in the league.