Shaheen Shah Afridi is ready to turn up the heat for Brisbane Heat as he makes his BBL debut against Melbourne Renegades on Monday. The towering left-arm pacer joins a depleted Heat attack, with Spencer Johnson sidelined by injury and Michael Neser away on Test duty, placing the spotlight squarely on the 25-year-old Pakistan ODI captain.
“They are experienced bowlers for this team, and I hope I play my role, that’s why I’m here,” Afridi said. “I’ll give my best in all three disciplines… bowling, fielding, and batting if needed. It’s a well-renowned league with the best players.”
Afridi faces a star-studded challenge in his first game, including Mohammad Rizwan, his predecessor as Pakistan’s white-ball skipper, and Babar Azam, who plays for Sydney Sixers. Other notable Pakistan stars in the tournament include Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, and Shadab Khan.
A seasoned international, Afridi has taken 126 wickets in 96 T20Is at under eight runs per over, while his Test record boasts a 27 average and a strike rate of 52. Reflecting on his journey, he credited Mitchell Starc for inspiring his development, recalling his first tour of Australia as a 16-year-old and how watching Starc shaped his approach to fast bowling.
“The greats are always great. I told Starc I watched his 2015 World Cup spell and that’s why I bowl fuller, he’s a role model for any youngster,” Afridi said.
With the BBL set to begin Sunday, all eyes will be on Afridi to lead Brisbane Heat’s pace attack and deliver a memorable debut in one of the world’s most competitive T20 leagues.
