Brisbane Heat expect Shaheen Shah Afridi’s arrival to soften the loss of two senior quicks when the Big Bash League begins this weekend. The 25-year-old left-armer, taken with the first pick in June’s overseas draft, steps straight into a side missing Spencer Johnson (season-ending injury) and Michael Neser (Australia Test duties).
“They [Johnson and Neser] are experienced bowlers for this team and I hope I play my role, that’s why I’m here,” Afridi said on Wednesday. “In all three [disciplines]… fielding, and if I need, chipping in batting as well, I’ll give my best. It’s not a small league and [is] well-renowned as the best league and… the best cricket with the best players.”
His first outing comes on Monday against Melbourne Renegades, whose line-up features former Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan – the man Afridi replaced as white-ball skipper earlier this year. “First game against Rizzy… a world-quality player. And Babar’s here as well,” Afridi noted. “They know me, I know them. Hopefully we play some good cricket here. And we’re really hopeful we get the Pakistani support, and the Asian community as a whole.”
Babar Azam (Sydney Sixers), Hasan Ali (Adelaide Strikers), Haris Rauf (Melbourne Stars) and Shadab Khan (Sydney Thunder) join Afridi and Rizwan in giving the competition its largest Pakistani contingent to date. Their presence promises familiar contests for South Asian supporters and fresh tactical puzzles for BBL coaches.
Afridi arrives with 126 T20I wickets at an economy rate below eight runs an over. In Tests he strikes every 52 deliveries and concedes 27 runs per wicket – numbers that sit comfortably among the modern elite. His international pedigree, combined with Brisbane’s shortage of experience, leaves head coach Johan Botha little option but to hand him the new ball and, most likely, the death overs.
Mitchell Starc’s recent leap past Wasim Akram to 414 Test wickets offered Afridi a timely reminder of fast-bowling longevity. “The greats are always great,” Afridi said of Akram, before recalling a formative meeting with Starc on a youth tour to Australia aged 16. “He [Starc] is a legend and last time when we chatted, I told him I watched his 2015 [World Cup] bowling spell and that’s why I bowled fuller to the batsman,” Afridi added. “I can say he’s a role model for any youngster… he’s been the best for Australia for many years.”
Heat management hope that mentorship translates quickly. With Johnson and Neser sidelined, Afridi’s ability to swing the new ball and attack the stumps at the end could decide early-season momentum. The opening round will reveal whether his reputation and recent leadership duties have sharpened rather than burdened his cricket.
