Staff Report

LAHORE: On the request of Cricket Australia, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday granted Saeed Ajmal, Shahid Afridi and Umar Akmal permission to play a few games at this season's Big Bash League (BBL), SAMAA reported.

The cricket board had earlier denied the players permission to play this BBL, to ensure their participation in the local tournament.

The trio will miss the last round of Pakistan's domestic Twenty20 tournament. However, they have assured the PCB of their return in time for the conditioning camp in Lahore ahead of the India tour.

Akmal is signed with Sydney Sixers and Ajmal with Adelaide Strikers for the season, while Afridi is set to play for Sydney Thunder, having transferred from Melbourne Renegades.

However, sources said, Afridi has cancelled his agreement with the BBL to participate in domestic cricket. -- SAMAA