Shahid Afridi's emotional outburst against the Pakistan Cricket Board could severely dent Hampshire's hopes of defending their Twenty20 title.Afridi, one of the most dangerous players in the one-day game, has been banned from taking part in the 2011 competition by the PCB - despite announcing his retirement from international cricket.
And it raises uncomfortable questions for the ICC over whether Afridi is the victim of restraint of trade and in a position to launch an appeal against his former Pakistan bosses.
AFP report that Afridi has even appealed to the Pakistan president Asif Ali Zardari for assistance.
"I have appealed to the president to intervene urgently, also deal with other issues and save the game from getting into more crises," Afridi said.
The ECB have removed Afridi's registration making him unavailable to play in Hants' their first group game against Somerset, the team they defeated in the final last season.
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Afridi was certain to be a key part of Hampshire skipper Dominic Cork's plans as the new season swings into action.
The PCB initially gave permission for their former ODI skipper to take part - but after Afridi's public criticism of the current board over his treatment at being relieved of the captaincy has resulted in what appears a tit-for-tat reaction.
The PCB have taken the decision to revoke Afridi's no objection certificates in response to the "disparaging remarks about the board and its officials."
"Revoking all the NOCs naturally means that we don't want him to be selected in any team," said PCB spokesman Nadeem Sarwa.
The move comes just 24 hours after an emotional Afridi made it clear he does not want to be selected for the national team because of his difference with the PCB leadership.
Afridi claims he "loves playing for his country," but feels he has been "humiliated" by a board of "dishonourable people" and he would only return in the event of a change of leadership.
Most of Afridi's displeasure centres around the fact the PCB have refused to endorse his captaincy of the side - with him being forced to wait until just two weeks before he was chosen to lead Pakistan's World Cup bid.
Afridi took his side to the semi-finals and finished the tournament as leading wicket taker, but he was sacked after criticising team management, following the ODI series win in the West Indies.
The PCB's have also suspended Afridi's central central contract, with chairman Ijaz Butt saying: "He is welcome if he does not want to play under the present (PCB) set-up."
But the question remains if Afridi is no longer available for selection for his country and his contract suspended, how can he be bound by the dictates of the Pakistan cricket leadership?
