Afridi ruled out of PSL final with finger injury

Peshawar Zalmi's Shahid Afridi sustained a deep cut on his right index finger, which has ruled him out of Sunday's Pakistan Super League final in Lahore. He picked up the injury while attempting a catch at cover off Kieron Pollard during the third playoff against Karachi Kings on Friday. The cut required stitches and he has been advised 10 days of rest.

He left the field in 11th over of the chase and did not return to complete the two remaining overs in his quota of four. He had conceded 0-27 in two overs and scored nought, but his side went on qualify for the final beating Karachi by 24 runs.

Afridi released a video message, announcing that he would not be able to play the final. He said: "After [the 2016] World T20, it was a big challenge for me to perform for my fans. They couldn't see me performing [to the level] which they were expecting. So I hope you have enjoyed whatever I gave in PSL, because whatever the cricket left in me is for you only. My wish was to play the PSL final in Lahore but sorry, I wont be able to play because doctor gave me a 10-day rest order. It was my big wish that I could play in front of my own people in Lahore but sorry, not possible because of his this."

After a 28-ball 54 in the group stage of the PSL, Afridi had announced that he would not be playing international cricket anymore. In ten matches in this edition of the tournament, Afridi had scored 177 runs at 25.28 with a strike rate of 173.52, and taken two wickets and maintained an economy rate of 6.75.