Former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi has suddenly left the Lanka Premier League (LPL) tournament citing a family emergency.

“Unfortunately I have a personal emergency to attend to back home. I will return to join back my team at LPL immediately after the situation is handled. All the best,” he tweeted this afternoon.

Afridi was the skipper of the Galle Gladiators team owned by businessman Nadeem Omar and coached by former Pakistani wicketkeeper Moin Khan.

It is not exactly clear as to when Afiridi will rejoin the team. However, Afiridi seemed dejected on the filed due to the abysmal performance by his team during the last match.

Galle Gladiators have lost all four matches they have played in tournament and remains at the bottom of the points table.

The skipper’s departure will further destabilize Galle Gladiator’s already struggling batting line-up.

Sri Lankan cricketer Bhanuka Rajapakse is expected to lead the team in Afridi’s absence.