The all-rounder told Arab News on Tuesday that he will captain one of the seven teams that will compete in the first edition of the Twenty20 tournament to be held during July-August.

“I’ve accepted an offer to be captain of one of the team in the Sri Lankan Premier League. It’s a good opportunity and I will try to make the most of it,” said Afridi.

Afridi, 31, said that he has also received a similar offer to lead one of the franchises at the Bangladesh’s Premier League, adding that he is looking forward to that assignment as well.

Afridi revealed that he has agreed on a three-year contract and will receive $35,000 for the inaugural SLPL season. The amount will double in 2012.

The Pakistan skipper is not the only player from his country to have signed a contract with SLPL. Other players who have joined the league include Pakistan’s Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq, Shoaib Akhtar, Abdul Razzaq, Umar Gul and Umar Akmal.

“There is a comfortable window for us (Pakistan’s cricketers) to feature in the league in Sri Lanka,” said Afridi. “We have a sufficient break from international cricket this summer.”

Afridi will go to Sri Lanka from England where he will be playing for Hampshire for their Friends Provident T20 campaign. He will become Hampshire's second overseas player for the tournament alongside Imran Tahir, the Pakistan-born South African spinner.

“There is a two-week break from the Hampshire assignment and I will use it to play in Sri Lanka,” said Afridi.

Afridi and his teammates have been shunned by the organizers of the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) though several of them did feature in the inaugural edition of the event.

Afridi said that he is pleased that Sri Lanka will be hosting its own Twenty20 league, adding that he is hopeful that other major cricket-playing nations will follow suit.

The inaugural SLPL will span over 18 days with seven teams featuring in the inter-provincial competition.

According to details of the event, the competing teams will play each other once, with the top four teams qualifying for the semifinals. All the games will be held at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium with the winning team making the cut for the Champions League Twenty20.

The seven provinces competing for the title are Basnahira, Kandurata, Nagenahira, Ruhuna, Uthura, Uva and Wayamba.

Apart from Pakistani players, other international stars confirmed for the event are Kieron Pollard, Chris Gayle, Daniel Vettori, Daniel Christian, Herschelle Gibbs and Kevin O'Brien.