Pakistan’s star fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has arrived in Dhaka to compete in the 11th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

The left-arm pacer will represent the defending champions, Fortune Barishal, marking his debut in the T20 tournament.

Afridi joins a roster that includes fellow Pakistani all-rounder Faheem Ashraf, rising star Jahandad Khan, and pacer Muhammad Ali. The team is set to face newcomers Durbar Rajshahi in the tournament’s opening match on December 30 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

Fortune Barishal expressed their enthusiasm for securing Afridi as a direct signing, stating, “Pakistani left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi will play for Fortune Barishal in the upcoming BPL.”

The 24-year-old has received a no-objection certificate from the Pakistan Cricket Board and will be available for the first five matches of the league.

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The BPL 2024-25 features seven franchises: Dhaka Capitals, Chittagong Kings, Durbar Rajshahi, Fortune Barishal, Khulna Tigers, Rangpur Riders, and Sylhet Strikers, with the tournament running until February 7, 2025.

Afridi was excluded from Pakistan’s squad for the ongoing Test series against South Africa and is also expected to miss the home Test series against the West Indies.

The PCB cited “workload management” as the reason for his omission, emphasising the importance of maintaining his fitness for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.