Afridi’s injury occurred during Brisbane Heat’s match against the Adelaide Strikers on 27 December, when he appeared to experience discomfort in his right knee while bowling. He was seen limping off the field and later confirmed he had a knee problem. Following discussions between Brisbane Heat’s medical staff and the PCB, a joint decision was made to send the fast bowler back to Pakistan for further assessment and rehabilitation. Confirming the development, Afridi took to social media to thank the franchise and its supporters.
“After consultation with the Pakistan Cricket Board medical staff over the past 24 hours, it was agreed that Shaheen would pause his stint in the Big Bash League and return home for further treatment ahead of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup,” the team said in a statement on Tuesday evening.
Brisbane Heat said in an official statement that Afridi would be further assessed once the team returns from Adelaide, indicating his BBL campaign has effectively come to an end. The franchise has already suffered multiple injury setbacks, with fast bowlers Spencer Johnson and Callum Vidler sidelined with back problems, while Michael Neser is away on international duty.
Afridi finished with two wickets in four matches
The 24-year-old pacer featured in his maiden BBL season and was part of a strong Pakistani contingent that included the likes of Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Haris Rauf. However, Afridi’s period did not have the impact that many expected. He played four matches and took only two wickets at an economy rate of over 11. His debut against Melbourne Renegades was particularly difficult, as he was taken off the attack after bowling two medium full tosses that were considered dangerous.
Despite the disappointing performance, Brisbane Heat management and teammates spoke highly of Afridi’s professionalism and influence in the dressing room. CEO Terry Svenson stated that the young bowlers in the squad benefited from Afridi’s experience, while alternate captain Xavier Bartlett spoke of the value of conversations about bowling tactics and match situations.
Afridi’s injury also raised concerns about his long-standing knee problems. He has struggled with problems with the same knee in the past, most notably during the 2022 season when a ligament injury affected his preparation for the T20 World Cup.
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