By Staff Reporter
LAHORE: Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi will return home from Australia’s Big Bash League after suffering a knee injury while playing for the Brisbane Heat, the club said on Tuesday, dealing a blow to his preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
The 25-year-old left-armer sustained a cartilage injury to his knee while fielding during the Heat’s last-over win over the Adelaide Strikers at the Gabba on Saturday night. After consultations between the Heat and the Pakistan Cricket Board’s medical staff, Shaheen was released to head back for further treatment, the club said in a statement.
A PCB spokesperson said Shaheen would fly home on Wednesday and that the extent of the injury and his recovery timeline would be assessed by the board’s doctors upon arrival. Shaheen, who is also Pakistan’s one-day international captain, expressed disappointment at cutting short his debut BBL campaign but praised the experience. “I have enjoyed myself a lot playing for Brisbane and I am sad that I will not be able to finish the season with the team,” Shaheen said in the club’s statement. “The BBL was everything I had heard it would be — lots of good, skilful cricket. I have enjoyed the challenge.”
In a separate post on X, Shaheen confirmed he had been recalled by the PCB for rehabilitation following the “unexpected injury.” “I’m massively thankful to the Brisbane Heat team and fans for showering me with immense love and support,” he wrote. “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 on the field soon,” Shaheen added. “Meanwhile, I will be cheering for the amazing team.”
Shaheen appeared in four matches for the Heat, taking two wickets at an average of 76.50 and an economy rate of 11.19. Brisbane Heat chief executive Terry Svenson commended Shaheen’s attitude and influence on the team despite the abbreviated stint. “Despite his season not finishing the way he would have liked, he has been a thorough professional,” Svenson said. “Our young bowlers have benefitted greatly from his advice and suggestions.”
Acting Heat captain Xavier Bartlett echoed those sentiments, calling Shaheen’s input “great value” for the bowling unit. The Heat, who are seeking a replacement for the remainder of the tournament, sit in the middle of the BBL standings with the final scheduled for Jan. 25.
Shaheen’s injury comes at a critical time for Pakistan, who are gearing up for the T20 World Cup starting on Feb. 7, 2026, in India and Sri Lanka. He was not included in Pakistan’s squad for a three-match T20 international series against Sri Lanka in the second week of January, an exclusion linked to an agreement between Cricket Australia and the PCB requiring some Pakistani players to complete their BBL commitments. Former captain Babar Azam was also left out of that squad for the same reason. Pakistan’s schedule includes the Sri Lanka tour followed by a home series against Australia at the end of January as part of their World Cup build-up.
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