'To return home': After horrific BBL stint, PCB calls back star Pakistan cricketer mid-season; here's why

The Brisbane Heat have said that Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi will return home because of a knee injury and will not take part in the remaining matches of the ongoing Big Bash League, according to a release issued by the franchise.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has asked Afridi to return from Australia to begin rehabilitation, keeping in mind the T20 World Cup scheduled for February–March in India and Sri Lanka.




Afridi suffered a knee cartilage injury while fielding during Brisbane Heat’s last-over win against Adelaide Strikers at the Gabba on Saturday night.

"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 team said in a statement on Tuesday.

Afridi is the third fast bowler Heat have lost to injury, after Spencer Johnson and Callum Vidler, both sidelined with back problems. With Michael Neser away on international duty, Heat now have limited fast-bowling options. Stand-in captain Xavier Bartlett, all-rounder Jack Wildermuth and uncapped left-arm pacer Oli Patterson are the only fit fast bowlers left in the squad of 18 players.

"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," Shaheen said in a statement. "The BBL was everything I had heard it would be - lots of good, skilful cricket (and) I have enjoyed the challenge. I wish all the players and coaches the very best for the rest of the Big Bash and will applaud their efforts as they get closer to the finals."

This was Afridi’s first season in the BBL. He was part of a group of Pakistani players that included Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Haris Rauf. Afridi played four matches, picked up two wickets and had an economy rate of 11.19.

In his first match for Heat, Afridi was taken out of the bowling attack for dangerous bowling after he bowled two waist-high full tosses to Tim Seifert and Oliver Peake in the 18th over of Melbourne Renegades’ innings.

Afridi appeared to have suffered the injury while bowling the 14th over during Adelaide Strikers’ chase of Heat’s 179 for 9 on December 27, when he limped off the field pointing to his right knee.