Shaheen Afridi Taken Off Bowling for Dangerous Deliveries on BBL Debut

Shaheen Shah Afridi’s much-anticipated BBL debut took a surprising turn when he was removed from the attack for dangerous bowling during Brisbane Heat’s clash against Melbourne Renegades in Geelong. 

The incident unfolded in the 18th over of the Renegades’ innings when Afridi delivered two waist-high full tosses, one each to Tim Seifert and Ollie Peake, forcing the umpires to take him out of the attack under playing regulations.

After being informed he would not be allowed to continue, Afridi managed a wry smile while Heat captain Nathan McSweeney was called upon to complete the final two balls of the over.

This left Afridi with difficult statistics on debut: 0-43 off 2.4 overs, including three no-balls and two wides, capping a tough initiation into the Big Bash League 2025/26. Despite heavy anticipation surrounding his appearance, especially with Pakistan teammate Mohammad Rizwan debuting for the Renegades, Afridi had actually started brightly, opening with three dot balls in his first over.

But the momentum shifted quickly. He missed his lengths in the next few overs, but was not brought in till the 13th over, when the Renegades began a Power Surge. That produced 19 runs, and the 18th over gave a further 15, including a succession of no-balls which brought his spell to an abrupt end.

The Renegades rode the momentum to 212 for 5. Tim Seifert was the standout performer who had a scorching 102 off 56 balls, and Ollie Peake struck 57 off 29. Rizwan, who was brought in at No. 3, looked unsettled at the crease and only made four from ten deliveries before being dismissed by left-arm spinner Paddy Dooley.