Shaheen Shah Afridi, the top draft pick for the Brisbane Heat, will not continue in the current Big Bash League (BBL) season due to a knee injury. Afridi confirmed his withdrawal on social media, expressing gratitude for the support he received from the team and fans. He noted that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) called him back for rehabilitation following the injury.
In a post on Instagram, Afridi stated, “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 on the field soon.” This news comes as a significant setback for the Heat, who will now proceed without one of their most prominent players.
The 25-year-old fast bowler made headlines upon his arrival in Australia, marking his debut in the Big Bash. He initially struggled in his opening match against the Melbourne Renegades, where his performance was marred by two waist-high full tosses that led to a ban from bowling in that game. Despite this rocky start, Afridi managed to take two wickets across three games, demonstrating his potential before his unfortunate injury.
Afridi’s exit is compounded by the fact that fellow left-arm bowler Spencer Johnson has also been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament due to a back injury. The loss of these two key players places significant pressure on the Brisbane Heat’s bowling attack as they navigate the remaining matches of the season.
Initially, the PCB had allowed Afridi, along with teammates Babar Azam and Haris Rauf, to remain in Australia for the entirety of the BBL, instead of calling them back for a T20 series in Sri Lanka. However, the knee issue has altered those plans just ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled for February and March 2024.
As the Heat look to recover from these losses, they will need to adjust their strategy and find effective replacements to maintain their competitive edge in the league. The team’s resilience will be tested as they aim to secure victories in the matches ahead, relying on the depth of their squad to fill the gaps left by Afridi and Johnson.
