The Brisbane Heat have confirmed that Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi will cut short his Big Bash League stint and return home following a knee cartilage injury sustained during the Heat’s narrow win over the Adelaide Strikers at the Gabba on Saturday night. After consultation with the Pakistan Cricket Board’s medical staff, it was decided that Afridi will leave the tournament immediately and undergo further treatment and focus on rehabilitation ahead of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup.
Afridi reached out to his teammates to share his disappointment leave the competition early. “I enjoyed playing for Brisbane a lot and I’m sad that I won’t be able to finish the season with the team,” Afridi said. He also acknowledged the support he received during his tenure, stating, “I am extremely grateful 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.”
Based on his experience, Afridi described the BBL as a positive challenge and assured the team of his continued support during his recovery. “The BBL was everything I heard it would be – lots of good, skilled cricket. I enjoyed the challenge. I’ll be cheering for the team as they recover from their unexpected injury and hope our paths cross again,” he said.
Brisbane Heat CEO Terry Svenson expressed the club’s appreciation for Afridi’s efforts and professionalism throughout his time with the team. “Despite his season not ending the way he would have liked, he is a consummate professional and we are delighted to welcome him to Brisbane and the Heat,” commented Svenson. “I know that our young pitchers on the team have benefited greatly from his advice and suggestions and that he has made a strong contribution to the overall performance of the team.” He added: “We wish him a speedy recovery and all the best in his preparations for the T20 World Cup.”
Acting captain Xavier Bartlett also praised Afridi’s impact on and off the field. “The conversations that I and the other bowlers had with Shaheen about bowling and match situations were of great value. He fitted into the team very easily and it was a pleasure to play alongside him,” Bartlett highlighted Afridi’s mentoring role and seamless integration into the team.
With Afridi’s absence confirmed for the remainder of the tournament, Brisbane Heat are currently exploring replacement options for the remainder of the competition. The club is focused on maintaining momentum throughout the season while Afridi turns his attention to recovery and preparation for future international duties.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
December 30, 2025
