Pakistan quick Shaheen Shah Afridi, currently representing Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26, has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a knee injury sustained in a previous match in Australia’s domestic T20 league.
The Brisbane Heat officially announced Afridi’s unavailability for the rest of the BBL season in a statement. The Pakistan ODI captain sustained a knee cartilage injury while fielding during the final over of Brisbane Heat’s match against the Adelaide Strikers at Gabba in Brisbane on Saturday (December 27). Following the injury, the Brisbane Heat reached out to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) medical staff, who concurred that it would be best for the pacer to return home for further treatment ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Shaheen told Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net) that he will be boarding a plane early on Wednesday (Australia time) to head back home, where he will start his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore later this week.
“My injury is not serious, but I have been informed to return to Lahore, where my rehab will start, and I am confident that after a week of rehab, I will start bowling in the next ten days,” the pacer was quoted as saying.
Sources familiar with the situation indicated that the PCB regards Shaheen as a vital component of the national team’s bowling lineup and believes he needs appropriate rehabilitation, which will be effectively conducted in Lahore. The PCB has also enlisted renowned sports medicine specialist Dr. Javed Mughal to handle injury concerns within the Pakistan camp.
The T20 World Cup is set to take place in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. However, the PCB has yet to announce the 15-player squad. Recently, the selectors released the team for the three-match series against Sri Lanka, excluding Shaheen, Babar Azam, and Haris Rauf due to their BBL commitments.
Unfortunately, Shaheen’s injury has complicated things, and he now faces a race against time to recover before the World Cup. Pakistan is placed in Group A alongside India, the USA, Namibia, and the Netherlands.
“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. I am massively thankful to the Heat fans for showering me with immense love and support. I am also grateful for the support of the team and their amazing hospitality,” Shaheen stated in an official statement shared by Brisbane Heat.
“The BBL was everything I had heard it would be – lots of good, skilful cricket. I have enjoyed the challenge. I will be cheering for the team while recovering from my unexpected injury, and I hope our paths cross again,” he added.