Cricket fans are expressing their disappointment after a fourth player was ruled out for the remainder of the BBL season on Tuesday night. Pakistan superstar Shaheen Shah Afridi announced on Tuesday night that he’s been recalled home after suffering a knee injury, ending his stint with the Brisbane Heat.
Afridi was the Heat’s No.1 pick in the BBL draft, but took just two wickets in the opening three games. “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 wrote on social media. “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. I will be cheering for the team while recovering from my unexpected injury and I hope our paths cross again.”
Shaheen Shah Afridi (R) will miss the rest of the BBL season, while Travis Head (L) could join Nathan Lyon in missing as well. Image: Getty
Brisbane Heat chief executive Terry Svenson said in a statement: “Despite his season not finishing the way he would have liked, he has been a thorough professional and we have been pleased to welcome him to Brisbane and the Heat.
“I know our young bowlers in the squad have benefitted greatly from his advice and suggestions, and he has had strong input into the team’s performances overall. We wish him a speedy recovery and all the best in his preparations now for the T20 World Cup.”
Shaheen Shah Afridi was the Brisbane Heat’s No.1 pick in the BBL draft. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Fourth player ruled out of BBL season
Afridi has joined Spencer Johnson as the second Heat player ruled out for the entire tournament. The Brisbane team are now without their two main bowling spearheads.
The Pakistan speedster is the fourth player overall to miss the rest of the BBL, after Hobart Hurricanes star Tim David went down with a hamstring injury. Nathan Lyon tore his hamstring in the third Ashes Test and won’t be available for the Melbourne Renegades, meaning he won’t play a single game in his three-year stint with the franchise.
Travis Head admits he might skip BBL
With the T20 World Cup set to take place in February, there’s hope Australia’s Test stars will take part in the back-end of the BBL season. Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood could feature depending on their recovery from injury, but Travis Head flagged on Wednesday that he might opt to skip it and rest.
“Probably unlikely with the emotional drain of an Ashes series, and what’s coming up in terms of the World Cup,” Head told News Corp about the prospect of playing in the BBL. “The emotional drain of actually being in an Ashes series and playing is always tough. So I think it’s important to go into a World Cup fresh.”