Big Blow for Pakistan! Shaheen Afridi suffers nasty injury ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

Shaheen Afridi suffered a knee injury during the second half of the match. 

Panic hit the Pakistan cricket community today. Worrying images have emerged from The Gabba in Brisbane. Shaheen Shah Afridi, the leader of Pakistan’s pace attack, walked off the field in obvious pain during the Brisbane Heat’s clash with the Adelaide Strikers in BBL 2025-26.

With the T20 World Cup 2026 just weeks away, this news could ruin the national team’s plans. The crowd went quiet as the left-armer stopped mid-run-up. He grimaced and called for the physio right away.

Big Bash confirmed Shaheen Shah Afridi’s injury scare

The Big Bash League’s official X account confirmed the news shortly after. Their post said Afridi “left the ground in some discomfort” and that the team “hopes for a quick recovery.”

He never came back out. This left the Brisbane Heat scrambling to cover his remaining overs. The timing is terrible. Pakistan have not yet picked their squad for the upcoming ICC tournament. Afridi is the heart of their bowling attack.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is now playing a waiting game. The team heads to Sri Lanka in early January for three T20Is. This series is designed to help them get used to the local conditions before the T20 World Cup 2026.

If the scan reveals any injury or serious strain, Afridi could be ruled out of the tour and the main tournament, which starts on February 7. Captain Salman Ali Agha will now have to look for backup options. He might need Naseem Shah or Haris Rauf to step up if their star bowler is out for a long time.

Afridi wanted this time in Australia to help him find his rhythm. Instead, he has faced one problem after another. This injury is just the latest blow. The Pakistani pacer joined the Brisbane Heat to test himself against the best, but his form has been worrying.

Seeing him limp toward the dressing room is a huge concern, especially since he hasn’t looked his best lately. Fans are now questioning whether Shaheen will be fit before the World Cup begins and be able to bowl his yorkers again.

Shaheen’s BBL stats so far

Shaheen had a rough time in the BBL even before this injury cut his spell short. It started with a nightmare debut against the Melbourne Renegades on December 15.

The 25-year-old gave away 43 runs in fewer than three overs. The umpires actually pulled him from the attack in that game. He had bowled two dangerous full tosses above the waist in one over.

The situation did not improve in the subsequent matches. Shaheen could not find his usual swing or accuracy. By the time he got injured today, he had given up over 90 runs in his first 6.4 overs of the season.

Shaheen’s economy rate is sitting above 13, and he is struggling to take wickets. This injury is a major blow for the player who is already struggling to establish himself on Australian soil.

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