Pakistan’s premier fast bowler, Shaheen Shah Afridi, endured a difficult start to his Big Bash League career. He was withdrawn from the bowling attack during Brisbane Heat’s clash against Melbourne Renegades at GMHBA Stadium on Monday.
The left-arm pacer was removed by on-field umpires in the 18th over of the Renegades’ innings. This happened after he delivered two over-the-waist-height full tosses, both of which were ruled no-balls under BBL playing conditions.
Shaheen was reintroduced into the attack by Heat captain Nathan McSweeney during the closing stages of the innings. Facing Oliver Peake, the pacer conceded a towering six over deep midwicket. This followed an earlier low full toss that resulted in a single.
Attempting to execute a yorker, Shaheen missed his length and bowled a high full toss. It was immediately called a waist-high no-ball. Tim Seifert capitalised on the delivery, launching it wide of long-on before completing two runs. These runs brought up his rapid century.
Really !!! Pakistan pacer @iShaheenAfridi was removed from the bowling attack during his BBL debut. #shaheenafridi #BBL15 #BBL2025 #PakistanCricket #PSLNewEra #psl2026 Video Credit: @BBL pic.twitter.com/NoPO2xsTee
— Photo News (@PhotoNewsPk) December 15, 2025Shaheen briefly regained control by delivering a well-executed yorker on the subsequent free hit. This restricted Seifert to a single guided towards deep fine leg. However, his struggles resurfaced moments later when he bowled another beamer. This prompted a second no-ball call from the umpires.
Oliver Peake attempted to steer the delivery towards third man but failed to make contact. Wicketkeeper Jimmy Peirson also missed the collection as the ball landed just short of him. This allowed the batters to score two runs as a bye.
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Following the second waist-high no-ball, umpires immediately removed Shaheen from the attack. This brought an abrupt end to his debut outing for Brisbane Heat. The franchise had selected him as their first overseas pick in the BBL 15 players’ draft. They had high expectations for the Pakistani international.
Shaheen opened his spell in the second over of the innings and conceded nine runs. This included two boundaries of Seifert. His second over proved more expensive, leaking 19 runs. Seifert struck a six and a four, while Peake also found the boundary.
