Shahid Afridi is not available for tonight's Friends Life t20 opener against Somerset - but still hopes to play against Surrey on Friday night.

Afridi will have to watch tonight's game from the sidelines after the Pakistan cricket Board revoked its permission for him to play for Hampshire.

The PCB made its decision because of the way Afridi criticised its current incumbents on television in announcing his retirement from international cricket.

But the Pakistan superstar's manager, Umran Khan, says Afridi may yet be available for Surrey's visit.

"We’ve had a lot of help from Rod Bransgrove and Hampshire Cricket Club and the ECB are now involved and talking to the PCB," said Khan.

"I know Rod has spoken to Giles Clarke, the ECB chairman, who in turn has spoken to the chairman of the PCB, Ijaz Butt, so we’re hoping for some kind of resolution.

"Hampshire have obviously put a lot of time and effort into getting Afridi for the tournament and I feel for them that it’s just been pulled from underneath their feet.

"I’m hoping for resolution very quickly and that he’s available for the next game.

"It depends on the ECB receiving another No Objection Certificate from the PCB but we’re hopeful."