Shaheen Shah Afridi is set to make his maiden appearance in the Lanka Premier League, which begins this week. The PCB confirmed to Cricinfo that the fast bowler has been granted an NOC to participate in the tournament. He will play for Kandy Royals.

Afridi – earlier this month – was omitted from Pakistan’s squads for the Tests against West Indies and England after an indifferent run in the format. The 26-year-old has of late been perceived as more inclined towards white-ball cricket, with Aaqib Javed, Pakistan selector and high-performance director, saying earlier this month that “a player has to pick which format he wants to play”. The Tests against the West Indies clash with the LPL.

Afridi was recently named in the ongoing white-ball camp at the National Cricket Academy, despite the red-ball camp being conducted simultaneously and was left out of the second Test against Bangladesh in Sylhet.

Afridi was named Pakistan’s ODI captain last year and led Pakistan to a 2-1 series win over Australia at home last month. He was joint-leading wicket-taker with seven scalps at 12.14 runs apiece alongside left-arm orthodox Arafat Minhas, who debuted in the first of the three ODIs, and Nathan Ellis.

This will be Afridi’s second appearance in an overseas T20 league in the last year. He participated in the most recent BBL, turning out for Brisbane Heat. He had a forgettable run, however, taking only two wickets at an average of 76.50 in four matches. However, he remains in demand on the T20 circuit; Afridi has 362 wickets at 20.99 and an economy rate of 7.97. No Pakistan bowler has more than his 136 wickets in T20Is, which have come at an average of 21.35 and an economy of 7.83.

The LPL will run from July 17 until August 8. Kandy Royals play their first match against Dambulla Sixers on July 18.

[Cricinfo]

Colombo Championships

Thishya Banagala of Visakha Vidyalaya and Kashya Seneviratne of Colombo International School emerged as the girls’ and boys’ Under-12 champions respectively at the Vision Care Colombo Championship 2026, played on the clay courts of the Sri Lanka Tennis Association.

‎Banagala produced a series of commanding performances on her way to the girls’ title. She sealed the championship with a convincing 6-2, 6-1 victory over Thiyansa de Silva in the final.

‎The boys’ final provided a far sterner challenge as Kashya Seneviratne overcame Abhine Induwara in an entertaining three-set battle. After taking the opening set 6-2, Seneviratne dropped the second set 4-6 before holding his nerve to win the deciding match tie-break 10-4 and secure the championship.‎

HONOUR – MCA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2026

Sampath Bank and Ceylinco General Insurance registered convincing wins in the Mercantile Cricket Associations Champions League matches played over the weekend.

‘The 2026 edition of the MCA Champions League [formally known as the MCA ‘C’ League] is being powered by ‘HONOUR’ mobile phones.

Last week’s matches were played at the Mercantile Association Grounds

On Saturday,

Sampath Bank defeat LOLC Holdings by 64 runs

Sampath Bank

173/10 in 48 overs [Sajith Kotuwegoda 66; Thilanga Udeshana 2-40, Vinud Madushan 3-26, Sayuru Udukumbura 2-27]

LOLC Holdings

109/10 in 26 overs [Danushka Udara 26*; Dulaj Ashen 2-14, Dileepa Jayalath 2-37, Sithija Silva 2-12, Chamath Dilsara 3-29]

On Sunday,

Ceylinco General Insurance overcome Commercial Bank by 2 wickets

Commercial Bank

167/10 in 47.2 overs [Gimhana Ashirwada 60; Sandaru Dias 4-21, Yohan Edirisinghe 2-24]

Ceylinco General Insurance

170/8 in 44.2 overs [Sandaru Dias 60*; Gayana Preethimal 2-36, Pasindu Denipitiya 3-24]