The Royals need the PCB to reissue a No Objection Certificate and it is understood that could happen in time for Afridi to make his debut against Essex at Chelmsford a week tomorrow. "We've remained hopeful all along, and we are very hopeful that an announcement can be made soon," said Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove.

"But we cannot say anything more definitive beyond that at this stage." Bransgrove had been considering signing Chris Gayle as a replacement before the latest developments. "We had to look at all contingency options, and Chris Gayle's name was one of those names that came into the frame," he said.

"But we have remained hopeful all along that Afridi would receive clearance to join us for the remainder of Twenty20 campaign."

Copyright PPI (Pakistan Press International), 2011