Pakistan’s premier fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has been forced to cut short his maiden Big Bash League (BBL) campaign after sustaining a knee injury while playing for Brisbane Heat, dealing a setback to both the franchise and the Pakistan cricket team ahead of a busy international schedule.
The left-arm pacer suffered a cartilage injury to his knee while fielding during Brisbane Heat’s dramatic last-over victory against Adelaide Strikers at the Gabba on Saturday night. Following the incident, medical teams from Brisbane Heat and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) held consultations and mutually agreed that Shaheen should return to Pakistan for further assessment and treatment.
In an official statement released on Tuesday, Brisbane Heat confirmed that the decision was taken keeping in mind Shaheen’s long-term fitness, particularly with the ICC T20 World Cup scheduled to be held in February and March. A PCB spokesperson later confirmed that Shaheen will travel back to Pakistan on Wednesday, where he will undergo detailed medical evaluations to determine the severity of the injury and his recovery timeline.
Although disappointed by his early exit, Shaheen expressed gratitude toward the Brisbane Heat management, teammates and fans for their support during his brief stint in the tournament. He said he had thoroughly enjoyed his first experience in the BBL and appreciated the competitive nature of the league.
Shaheen described the BBL as living up to its reputation for high-quality cricket and said the challenge of playing in Australian conditions had been rewarding. In a message shared on social media platform X, he added that he had been recalled by the PCB to begin rehabilitation and hoped to return to action soon.
During his short BBL appearance, Shaheen featured in four matches for Brisbane Heat, picking up two wickets at an average of 76.50. While his on-field returns were modest, the franchise highlighted his positive influence off the field, particularly on younger bowlers in the squad.
Brisbane Heat chief executive Terry Svenson praised Shaheen’s professionalism, noting that his experience and guidance were valuable for the team despite his limited availability. Acting Heat captain Xavier Bartlett also acknowledged Shaheen’s impact, describing his presence as beneficial for the bowling group.
With Shaheen’s departure, Brisbane Heat are now considering replacement options for the remainder of the tournament as they continue their campaign. Meanwhile, the 24-year-old pacer will shift focus to recovery and rehabilitation as Pakistan prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Shaheen was not included in Pakistan’s squad for the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka scheduled for mid-January. His exclusion, along with that of former captain Babar Azam, was reportedly linked to coordination between Cricket Australia and the PCB regarding player availability for the BBL.
The Big Bash League final is set to take place on January 25, while Pakistani fans will be hoping that Shaheen makes a swift recovery in time to lead the national bowling attack in the global tournament.
