BBL 2025-26: Shaheen Afridi ruled out with knee injury

Shaheen Afridi’s stint with Brisbane Heat has ended prematurely as the pacer has been ruled out of the remainder of the 2025-26 Big Bash League (BBL) with a knee injury. Afridi had left the field in Heat’s previous clash against Adelaide Strikers on December 27, limping off the ground in the 14th over. 

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has directed him to fly to Pakistan from Australia for rehabilitation, with the 2026 T20 World Cup on the horizon and Afridi being one of the most critical members of the team in the shortest format.

"After consulting with the Pakistan Cricket Board's medical staff during the past 24 hours, it was agreed that Shaheen would cut short his Big Bash League stint to return home for further treatment ahead of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup," the team said in a statement on Tuesday evening.

Thankful to Brisbane Heat team, fans for love and support: Shaheen Afridi

Afridi also posted on his social media: “I'm massively thankful to the Brisbane Heat team and fans for showering me with immense love and support. Due to an unexpected injury, I have been called back by the PCB and will have to take a rehab. Hopefully, I will be back in the field soon. Meanwhile, I will be cheering for the amazing team."

The development has dented Heat’s already-depleted bowling stocks, as Afridi is the third pacer that the team has lost to injury, with Spencer Johnson and Callum Vilder sidelined with back issues. With Michael Neser absent due to international duty, Heat’s pace attack is reduced to stand-in captain Xavier Bartlett, all-rounder Jack Wildermuth and uncapped Oli Patterson.

Heat’s regular captain Nathan McSweeney has also missed the last two encounters with an ankle injury, while Tom Aslop is recovering from a knee problem and will sit out of the fixture against Strikers on December 31.

Afridi's poor BBL campaign 

Afridi did not have a memorable time in his maiden BBL stint, managing two wickets in four games at an economy rate of 11.19. He made a disastrous start in his first match for Heat, against Melbourne Renegades, bowling two waist-high full-tosses to Tim Seifert and Oliver Peake in the 18th over to be removed from the attack due to dangerous bowling.

He returned with figures of 0/43 on debut against the Renegades. While he picked a solitary wicket in each of his next two outings, against Perth Scorchers and Sydney Thunder, Afridi conceded 49 and 35 runs, respectively. He registered figures of 0 for 26 against Strikers in what turned out to be his final appearance in this edition.