Shaheen Afridi Ruled Out Of Remainder Of Big Bash League Season With Knee Injury, Set To Return To Pakistan

Shaheen Afridi Ruled Out Of Big Bash League: Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan's star pacer, has been ruled out of the remainder of the Big Bash League due to a knee injury. The Pakistan Cricket Board has called him back from Australia to start his rehabilitation, with an eye on the T20 World Cup in February-March in India and Sri Lanka.

Afridi was playing for Brisbane Heat, and he sustained a knee injury during their match against Adelaide Strikers at the Gabba. He was removed from the attack and left the field in discomfort, having also conceded 19 runs in an over during that match.

"I'm massively thankful to the Brisbane Heat team and fans for showering me with immense love and support," Afridi wrote on his social media handle. "Due to an unexpected injury, I have been called back by the PCB and will have to take a rehab. Hopefully, I will be back in the fields soon. Meanwhile, I will be cheering for the amazing team."

ALSO READ: Hardik Pandya Likely To Play Two Vijay Hazare Trophy Matches For Baroda Ahead Of New Zealand T20Is

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Brisbane Heat (@heatbbl)

Heat are also waiting on Tom Alsop (knee injury) and Nathan McSweeney (ankle injury), who have both resumed training. Shaheen's absence is another huge blow to the Heat's campaign in this BBL season. They have already lost fast bowlers Spencer Johnson and Callum Vidler for the tournament with back injuries, while Michael Neser remains unavailable on Test duties.

ALSO READ: Gautam Gambhir To Be Sacked As India's Head Coach? BCCI Vice-President Provides Big Update Amid Speculations

The stand-in skipper Xavier Bartlett, all-rounder Jack Wildermuth and uncapped left-armer Oli Patterson are the only Heat quicks left standing from their original 18-man roster.

This was Afridi's maiden outing in the BBL as he was part of a strong contingent of Pakistani cricketers, including the likes of Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Haris Rauf. But he could play just four games and didn't have a particularly memorable time of it, managing just two wickets and an economy rate of 11.19.

"After consulting with the Pakistan Cricket Board's medical staff during the past 24 hours, it was agreed that Shaheen would cut short his Big Bash League stint to return home for further treatment ahead of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup," the Heat said in a statement on Tuesday evening.