The struggles of Pakistan's pace spearhead, Shaheen Shah Afridi, in Australia's Big Bash League (BBL) took a worrying turn on Saturday night. Playing for the Brisbane Heat against the Adelaide Strikers at the Gabba, Afridi endured a costly over and later limped off the field with a knee injury, casting a shadow over his form and fitness ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup.
A Night of Two Halves: Promise Followed by Punishment
The match against the Adelaide Strikers encapsulated Afridi's challenging tournament. The left-arm fast bowler began with sharp control, conceding only seven runs across his first two overs and looking threatening with the new ball. However, his fortunes reversed dramatically when he returned to bowl the 12th over of the innings.
Facing Australian-born Italian batter Harry Manenti, Afridi's rhythm deserted him. Manenti seized the opportunity, smashing the Pakistani star for three consecutive boundaries in an over that leaked 19 runs. This expensive burst shifted the momentum and highlighted his ongoing struggles to contain batsmen in the middle overs.
The Injury Scare That Alarmed a Nation
The night went from bad to worse for Afridi during the 14th over of the chase. While fielding at mid-on, he chased a drive from Jamie Overton and appeared to twist or jar his knee during the sprint. Visibly in discomfort, he managed to complete the over but was then forced to limp off the field. He took no further part in the contest, a sight that immediately sparked concern among Pakistan's team management and fans worldwide.
This incident is particularly alarming with the T20 World Cup now just six weeks away. Afridi is the cornerstone of Pakistan's bowling attack in the shortest format, and any question mark over his fitness is a major setback for a team still seeking its first ICC trophy since 2017.
Broader Concerns: A Troubling BBL Campaign
The injury adds to what has been a difficult BBL stint for the pace star. His statistics paint a grim picture: just two wickets from four matches at an average of 76.50 and an economy rate of 11.19. His campaign hit a low earlier when he was removed from the attack for bowling dangerously during his debut for the Heat against Melbourne Renegades on December 15.
In the match itself, Brisbane Heat managed to defend a total of 179, bowling out Adelaide Strikers for 172 to win by a narrow margin. Max Bryant's 63 off 32 balls powered the Heat, while Matthew Short's 63 anchored the Strikers' reply.
All eyes will now be on the severity of Shaheen Afridi's knee injury. Pakistan will desperately hope the setback is minor, as his peak fitness and rediscovered form are non-negotiable for their World Cup ambitions. His BBL journey has so far been a story of unfulfilled promise, and time is running out for a turnaround.
