Hampshire in Afridi plea

Hampshire have asked Pakistan to release Shahid Afridi for the Friends Life t20 after he was forced to sit out Wednesday's opening match.

Star all-rounder barred by PCB following suspension

Hampshire have asked Pakistan to release Shahid Afridi for the Friends Life t20 after he was forced to sit out Wednesday's opening match against Somerset. The Pakistan Cricket Board is currently unavailable to play after his central contract was suspended on Tuesday. The move followed Afridi's fall-out with the board and temporary retirement from international cricket. The knock-on effect of the spat has seen Hampshire lose the service of their star overseas signing after the PCB also withdraw the No Objection Certificate required to allow Afridi to play for the county. "It is with regret that Hampshire Cricket announces that Shahid Afridi - the Royals overseas signing for the Friends Life t20 competition - will not be available to play in tonight's match against the Somerset Sabres at The Rose Bowl," a Hampshire statement read. "It follows the decision by the Pakistan Cricket Board to revoke their No Objection Certificate, thus withdrawing their consent for Shahid to take part in the competition. "The club would like to make it clear that although we respect this decision we have been, and continue to, urge the PCB to rethink this matter, and we are keen to have Shahid playing for the Royals at some point in the season. "Hampshire Cricket will be making no further comment on this issue at this time."