Big Blow for Pakistan ahead of T20 World Cup 2026; Shaheen Afridi ruled out of BBL 15 due to injury

Shaheen Afridi limped off the field after suffering an injury in the Big Bash League (BBL) league game for Brisbane Heat.

The atmosphere at the Gabba shifted instantly from electric anticipation to hushed concern during the 14th over of the Adelaide Strikers’ chase last Saturday in the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26. Xavier Bartlett had just delivered a yorker-length delivery.

Jamie Overton drove it firmly past the bowler and sent the ball racing down the ground. Shaheen Afridi stood at mid-on. He sprang into action and sprinted to cut off the boundary with his usual fire.

However, his right knee appeared to jar under his weight as he slowed down to field the ball, which caused him to stumble visibly. The Pakistan pace spearhead grimaced in immediate discomfort. The 25-year-old clutched the joint that had bothered him off and on throughout his career.

Although he managed to complete the over, his movement remained restricted. He eventually left the field with a noticeable limp. It left the Brisbane Heat dugout looking worried. Fans watched anxiously as the team physio escorted the left-arm pacer beyond the boundary rope. They feared the worst for the star left-armer.

Brisbane Heat confirm Shaheen Afridi’s departure

Cricbuzz has now confirmed those fears. Their report states that Shaheen Afridi will play no further part in the ongoing BBL season.

The Brisbane Heat management released an official statement on Tuesday morning. The team verified that the medical scan showed a significant strain that requires immediate rehabilitation.

Consequently, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has recalled him to Lahore. They will oversee his recovery themselves. Shaheen expressed his disappointment via social media and thanked the Heat fans for their support during his brief stay.

However, he acknowledged that the injury needed immediate attention. This development is a major setback for Brisbane. They had counted on the Pakistan pacer’s new-ball skills to lead their attack for the rest of the tournament.

Instead of terrorising batters on Australian soil, Shaheen now faces weeks of physiotherapy. This will force the franchise to look for a foreign player at precisely the time when the competition is intensifying.

A forgettable BBL campaign and looming T20 World Cup worries for Shaheen Afridi

Shaheen’s premature exit concludes a BBL 15 campaign that he might prefer to forget. His statistics paint a grim picture of his struggles on Australian pitches this season. The Pakistani speedster managed only two wickets across four matches.

Meanwhile, he leaked runs at an economy rate of 11.19. Furthermore, Shaheen’s average ballooned to 76.50. The umpire even removed him from the attack for dangerous bowling against the Melbourne Renegades earlier in December.

The dip in form is a major concern for Pakistan as the T20 World Cup 2026 is fast approaching, and now the injury has further compounded this worry. Consequently, the Men in Green must now find a Plan B.

If Shaheen fails to recover in time, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf will have to step up. They will have to carry the load. Pakistan cannot afford a half-fit strike bowler for a global event. Therefore, the medical team will exercise caution rather than rushing to bring him back quickly.

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