Afridi chose to stay in Pakistan instead of representing the Sydney Thunder

Just days after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) denied all-rounder Shahid Afridi, batsman Umar Akmal and spinner Saeed Ajmal the permission to play in Australia’s Big Bash League, they have reversed their decision at the request of Cricket Australia.

However, Afridi, who was set to represent the Sydney Thunder during the tournament stated that he had decided to stay in Pakistan and participate in the local Twenty20 competition.

Speaking exclusively to AFP, Afridi said: “I have ended my contract in the Big Bash League, because I want to play in the national event to improve my form and justify my selection in the team.”

But, Akmal and Ajmal are all set to fly off to Australia and will miss the last round of the domestic Twenty20 tournament.

Akmal is set to represent the Sydney Sixers, while Ajmal will play for the Adelaide Strikers.

However, both players will return back to Pakistan in time for the week-long conditioning camp in Lahore before heading off to India to face their arch-rivals in a limited overs series.

“We have reconsidered our decision, on the request of Cricket Australia, as the players had already signed their contract,” a PCB spokesman told ESPNcricinfo. “They will now leave at the tail end of [Pakistan’s] T20 tournament, which runs from December 2 to 10, and will return when our conditioning camp starts.”