Shaheen Afridi Pulls Out of The Hundred, Eyes Global T20 Canada Stint

In a significant blow to the ongoing success of The Hundred, star Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has withdrawn from the league's 2024 season. Instead, Afridi is in talks to join the Global T20 Canada competition, which is set to clash directly with the English tournament next year. 

Afridi made his Hundred debut in 2023, taking six wickets in six appearances for the Welsh Fire franchise. He had been retained by mutual agreement on a lucrative £100,000 contract - one of the highest salaries in the league. However, the 23-year-old has now opted to pull out, citing a desire to spend more time with his family.

 "I'm sad to miss out on playing for Welsh Fire this year," Afridi said in a statement. "I enjoyed the Hundred a lot last season, and I was excited about being back in Cardiff. I wish Mike [Hussey, Welsh Fire's coach] and the team the best of luck for 2024."

It is learnt that Afridi's decision was primarily driven by the four-week commitment required to participate in The Hundred, which runs from July 23 to August 18. As per the terms of his central contract with the Pakistan Cricket Board, Afridi is only permitted two No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) to play in foreign leagues per season.

With Afridi already locked into a long-term deal with the Avram Glazer-owned Desert Vipers in the UAE's ILT20 competition, the fast bowler has opted to utilize his second NOC on the Global T20 Canada instead. The Canadian tournament is expected to run from July 25 to August 11, providing a slightly shorter window for Afridi's international commitments.

The Global T20 Canada made an unexpected return in 2023 after being postponed indefinitely during the COVID-19 pandemic. The league has already attracted a strong contingent of overseas talent, including the likes of Andre Russell, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shakib Al Hasan.

However, the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA) has previously raised concerns over reports of late or non-payment issues with the Global T20 in recent years. As a result, FICA has recommended that any participating players request advanced payment.

Afridi's withdrawal is a significant setback for The Hundred, which has invested heavily in securing the services of top international cricketers. To fill the void left by the Pakistani star, Welsh Fire have confirmed the signing of New Zealand seamer Matt Henry as his replacement.

Henry's availability may also be impacted, as he is under contract with the San Francisco Unicorns franchise in the upcoming Major League Cricket (MLC) competition. With around half of the Hundred's overseas players signed up for the MLC, the ECB faces the challenge of ensuring the tournament's continuity amidst a crowded international cricket calendar.

The ECB's decision to open the Hundred to private investment was partly driven by the need to compete with the lucrative salaries on offer in other domestic T20 leagues around the world. However, Afridi's high-profile withdrawal highlights the ongoing challenges the board faces in retaining the sport's biggest names.