Star import flies home as scans confirm another big injury blow for Brisbane

Star import Shaheen Shah Afridi has played his last BBL game this summer in a big blow to the Brisbane Heat’s title chances.

Afridi pulled up lame while fielding in the win over the Adelaide Strikers on Saturday night and failed to return at the Gabba.

Subsequent scans have confirmed Afridi suffered a knee cartilage injury.

The only place to stream every match of the 2025/26 KFC BBL LIVE is on FOX CRICKET, available on Kayo Sports. | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

After consultation with the Pakistan Cricket Board’s medical staff, the decision has been made for Afridi to return home to recover ahead of the T20 World Cup campaign starting in early February.

“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,” Afridi said.

“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.

“The BBL was everything I had heard it would be – lots of good, skilful cricket. I have enjoyed the challenge.”

The injury is just another blow to a Brisbane outfit already missing Aussie star Spencer Johnson, who was ruled out of the summer with a back issue.

They’ve been without skipper Nathan McSweeney for consecutive matches after he sustained an ankle injury in the record-breaking win over the Perth Scorchers earlier this month.

Tom Alsop (knee) is also sidelined as the Heat head into their rematch with the Adelaide Strikers on New Year’s Eve.

Just four days after the two sides’ met, and the Heat got home by seven runs, the two teams will clash once more.

All-rounder Jack Wood has been granted BBL Technical Committee approval to join the Heat as a local replacement for the NYE blockbuster.

Wednesday night’s New Year’s Eve clash begins at 7.15pm AEDT at Adelaide Oval.

If you can’t see this blog, click here

SQUADS

Adelaide: Matt Short (c), Hassan Ali, Mackenzie Harvey, Chris Lynn, Harry Manenti, Harry Nielsen, Jamie Overton, Lloyd Pope, Alex Ross, Jason Sangha, Liam Scott, Henry Thornton, Jerrssis Wadia, Luke Wood

Brisbane: Tom Balkin, Xavier Bartlett (c), Max Bryant, Liam Haskett, Lachlan Hearne, Matthew Kuhnemann, Colin Munro, Oli Patterson, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Hugh Weibgen, Jack Wildermuth, Jack Wood

In: Jack Wood Out: Shaheen Shah Afridi (knee), Tom Alsop (knee)