In the absence of Afridi, vice-captain Bhanuka Rajapaksa could lead the Gladiators in the first few matches.
In his autobiography titled 'Game Changer', the former Pakistan captain -- who is father of four daughters -- Ansha, Ajwa, Asmara and Aqsa -- said his decision was motivated by "social and religious reasons".
Pakistan players' playing kits to feature Shahid Afridi Foundation's logo
Afridi was the third Pakistan cricketer to test positive for the virus after Taufeeq Umar and Zafar Sarfaraz. After that, ten more Pakistan team players have been diagnosed with the virus before their tour of England.
Pakistan head coach Aaqib Javed has expressed his confidence in the pace trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf, saying they will deliver something special in the must-win Champions Trophy clash against India. Despite the absence of Fakhar Zaman, who was ruled out due to an injury, Javed believes the team is well-equipped to handle the pressure and has the potential to overcome the challenge.
Mohammad Wasim was sent for a MRI scan to determine the severity of his injury after he complained of lower back pain
The left-handed batter suffered a muscular strain while fielding in the opening over against New Zealand at Karachi's National Bank Stadium on February 19.
'As players, you need to stay calm, try and block that noise out, and just play with the same intensity as you would play Australia or any other team.'
With just a week to go until the start of the Champions Trophy in Pakistan and the UAE, it sets up a tight race for the premier position for batters in 50-over cricket during the eight-team tournament.
While India are on a high after a measured six-wicket win over a sprightly Bangladesh, Pakistan are evidently tense after the 60-run loss in the tournament-opener to New Zealand.
Many Proteas players including Quinton de Kock, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, and Chris Morris were not part of the series against Pakistan due to the IPL.
Shoaib Akhtar didn't pull any punches as he blasted Pakistan's 'brainless and clueless' team management following the six-wicket loss to India in the ICC Champions Trophy.
Gautam Gambhir hit back at Shahid Afridi, offering to take him to a session with "a psychiatrist" after the former Pakistan captain wrote a few uncharitable things about the Indian opener.
Indian captain Virat Kohli arrived two hours early for practice ahead of the crucial Champions Trophy clash against Pakistan, focusing on his struggles against spin bowling.
According to sources aware of developments in the Board, a few players are contemplating if they should travel to New Zealand.
Featuring Hardik Pandya, Mohammad Nabi, Phil Salt, Shadab Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi, the film showcases the immense stakes faced by players as they put everything on the line to claim the Champions Trophy and the unique White Jackets, the ICC said.
That's not all, India's out-of-favour cricketer Gautam Gambhir found himself in the middle of the row after adding his own two bit.
However, it is his superb deliveries to Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul that are being talked about after Pakistan's victory and he was deservingly awarded the Player of the Match.
Even as the dust settles over his 'we got more love in India' comment, Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi raked up another controversy when he remarked that 'a lot of people are here from Kashmir' before the start of their World T20 game against New Zealand at PCA Stadium.
Australia's second-string pace attack produced a first-rate display to sink Pakistan with a comprehensive 29-run win in the weather-truncated first T20 International on Thursday.
New Zealand clinched the tri-nation title by beating hosts Pakistan by five wickets in the final in Karachi on Friday to give them a major boost ahead of next week's Champions Trophy.
Trent Boult has seen how Shaheen Afridi swung the ball to wreck India's top order at the Twenty20 World Cup and the New Zealand pace spearhead is plotting something similar in Sunday's crucial contest against Virat Kohli's men.
When asked if Pakistan team of the present has lost the formidable look it had in '80s and '90s and even early 2000s, the veteran of 398 ODIs, 99 T20Is and 27 Tests said that eras can't be simply compared.
'So much resources go into guarding this territory. So much goes into policing the Line of Control. So many mouths can get fed, so many minds can be nourished, if India and Pakistan resolve the Kashmir issue through a Kashmiri-owned, Kashmiri-led peace process'
Keeping in mind the forecast for rain and overcast conditions, Pakistan team management is likely to field a pace-heavy bowling unit against Bangladesh in the first Test scheduled between August 21 and 25 at Rawalpindi.
'I had planned to dismiss Virat but he is the NO 1 player. There is no difference in the batting of Babar and Virat.'
The BCCI decided against playing practice games as India is already participating in a three-match ODI series against England.
Young blocked the first ball of the Abrar Ahmed over for a dot before sweeping the ball to square leg to bring up his century.
Australia clinched a 3-0 T20I series sweep over Pakistan in Hobart, powered by a blistering unbeaten 61 off 27 balls from Marcus Stoinis on Monday.
Harvinder Singh was one of India's most promising pacers in the 1990s having played three Tests and 16 ODIs.
'I've been bowling here for the Melbourne Stars, I know the pitch, I know the length.'
Pakistan's star batter Babar Azam was conspicuous by his absence from the team's training and there was no clarity on his availability for the Champions Trophy clash against India in Dubai on Sunday, even as the country's cricket board chief Mohsin Naqvi urged the side to win "at any cost".
'Don't worry, will sort it out son'
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to give flamboyant all-rounder Shahid Afridi a chance to officially announce his retirement from international cricket during the Twenty20 series against West Indies in the UAE later this month. According to a report in the 'Daily Jang', the PCB wants Afridi to retire on his own after being ignored for the lone T20 international against England and last week. The former Pakistan captain has insisted that he wants to continue playing cricket and is available for national selection.
Kohli is the only contemporary batsman who has an average of above 50 in all three formats of cricket.
Nortje, Markram among players nominated for CSA top awards.
Indian batters need to try and play him 'straight'
India vice-captain Shubman Gill dethroned Pakistan's Babar Azam from the No. 1 spot in the ICC ODI Rankings for batters on the back of his strong showing against England in the recent home series.
Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav feels he has found his rhythm after returning from injury and is confident he will continue to improve in the ongoing Champions Trophy.
Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has announced his retirement from international cricket, but said he wants to play in his country's domestic league for two more years.
