Family illness delays Afridi

Shahid Afridi, the Pakistan allrounder, could miss Ireland's opening C & G Trophy match against Hampshire on Sunday after being forced to fly home to be his ill daughter.

Afridi, one of two overseas players in the Ireland squad, was due to meet up with the team after completing his commitments with Pakistan against India in the two-match DLF Cup in Abu Dhabi this week. However, the Irish Cricket Union (ICU) said that Afridi had to alter his plans.

"We have been alerted to the fact, that due to an illness with a family member, Shahid Afridi has been forced to make an urgent trip to Pakistan," said an ICU spokesman. "He will not be arriving in Ireland as scheduled on Friday, but we are hopeful that he will be here on Saturday, in time for our C & G clash with Hampshire at Clontarf."

A spokesperson for Afridi said: "In conjunction with the ICU, our first thoughts are with Shahid and a speedy recovery for his daughter. All parties concerned are hastily working to ensure Shahid arrives in time for the opener at the weekend once other matters are resolved."

Afridi, 26, recently turned heads after announcing his 'retirement' from Test cricket leading into the 2007 World Cup.