Galle Gladiators have appointed former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi as their captain while Bhanuka Rajapaksa will be his deputy for the upcoming Lanka Premier League (LPL).

The franchise made thsi statemnt via Twitter and their facebook page.

Afridi last featured in the recently concluded Pakistan Super League play-offs.

LPL's inaugural season will start next week despite star players including Chris Gayle, Lasith Malinga and others having pulled out of the tournament for various reasons. The five franchisee teams, named after Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Dambulla, and Jaffna will compete in 23 matches.

Colombo will take on Kandy in the opening match of LPL at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota on November 26.

Every day there will be doubleheaders until the semi-finals on December 13 and 14.

The final will be played on December 16.