Shaheen Shah Afridi&rsquo;s much-anticipated BBL debut took a surprising turn when he was removed from the attack for dangerous bowling during Brisbane Heat&rsquo;s clash against Melbourne Renegades in Geelong.&nbsp;

The incident unfolded in the 18th over of the Renegades&rsquo; 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 <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/big-bash-league-2025-teams-squads-fixtures-venues-live-streaming/2637-2-0">Big Bash League 2025/26</a>. 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.

Shaheen Shah Afridi was removed from the attack for dangerous bowling after two waist-high full tosses during his BBL debut.

Shaheen Afridi Removed from Bowling on BBL Debut

The competition in the Sydney Thunder team is tough, and David Warner is well aware of this fact. He is looking forward to this challenge as an opportunity to bat in the middle order, so that a correct balance in the batting order can be maintained. He is looking at everything with an open mindset to give Thunders a best chance in this year&rsquo;s Big Bash League.

The Sydney Thunder team management is currently discussing the option of adding a potent left-handed batter to the middle order. Unfortunately, they do not have many options, as the majority of their middle-order players are right-handed batters.

David Warner is therefore looking forward to batting in the middle order to help maintain a balance in the team. He is open to considering all kinds of suggestions, as discussions to solve the puzzle are currently underway.

&quot;That&#39;s more for a match-up and strategic point of view. We don&#39;t have that left-hander in the middle [order] that we&#39;ve been looking for. It&#39;s a conversation we&#39;re having at the moment.&quot; said David Warner while talking to the reporters.

Speaking about young Sam Konstas, who recently scored a century in Sheffield Shield cricket, Warner said that he is performing well at the moment, making his case strong in front of the national selectors. He advised Konstas to stay focused on scoring runs, as it will give him a best chance to make a comeback to the side.

&quot;The best form of currency is runs and he&#39;s doing that at the moment. When you do get thrown in the limelight, it can be a deer in the headlights. You can get overwhelmed and sucked into the hype around everything. But he has great support around him that will keep him level-headed.&quot; said David Warner.

He then said that Konstas should back his natural game without listening to too much outside noise. He also urged the team to help Konstas find his natural game, as he could become a great asset for them.

&quot;You just have to allow him to keep playing his natural game. He had his taste of Test cricket last year, he probably got a lot of advice, as you do as a youngster. But as a youngster you have to try to take on board what you think is required for you.&rdquo; said David Warner.

He added that Konstas should stick to his game by backing his core skills. He believes Konstas is a special talent who should be protected by the team by showcasing faith in him.

&quot;You have to stick true to what you believe in and how you go about your game. He might have changed things. For us, it&#39;s about protecting him and making sure he&#39;s enjoying the game.&quot; added David Warner.

<h2>Staying Determined to Claim the BBL Title</h2>

Warner then spoke about the Thunder&rsquo;s campaign in last year&rsquo;s BBL. He said the team reached the final after winning several close games, which was not a fully satisfactory performance. He is now looking forward to improved performances this year by playing proactive cricket from the start.

&quot;The way we played, we didn&#39;t expect to make the final. We were very scrappy, we won a lot of close games. We didn&#39;t play a complete game ... there [which] was a bit of a surprise - but it wasn&#39;t a surprise in terms of the way we&#39;re passionate about our team.&quot; said David Warner.

Talking about the Thunder&rsquo;s first game against the Hobart Hurricanes on Tuesday, Warner said the team should play with the same bold attitude without dwelling on last year&rsquo;s final result. He wants the Thunder to win the match convincingly to send a strong statement to the other teams for the rest of the tournament.

&quot;I want the guys to look at it as making a statement to the rest of the BBL. Each season, what&#39;s important is that we rock up with the same attitude and ... what can we do better?&quot; concluded David Warner.

After losing last year&rsquo;s final, Sydney Thunder is confident to win this year&rsquo;s tournament by delivering a better performance. It would be interesting to see how they will start their campaign this Tuesday against Hurricanes, as they are also entering the tournament with full force to defend their title.

David Warner is ready to bat in the middle order for Sydney Thunder. He is looking forward to take on the challenge to maintain a balance in the batting order.

Warner Ready to Bat in Middle Order to Boost Sydney Thunder

Melbourne Renegades General Manager James Rosengarten has said that fans are eagerly waiting to see Mohammad Rizwan in Renegades colors. His arrival in the team has raised expectations among supporters, which is why everyone is waiting to see him in action.

It should be noted that <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/mohammad-rizwan-marks-100th-odi-with-match-winning-knock/2309-5-0">Mohammad Rizwan</a> is set to feature in the BBL for the first time, so cricket fans across Australia are looking forward to his performances in the upcoming edition of the tournament.

Speaking to the media, Melbourne Renegades General Manager James Rosengarten said that the arrival of Pakistan&rsquo;s stars in the BBL has taken the league&rsquo;s profile to another level. The upcoming edition has therefore become very exciting, as fans want to see these global superstars in action for their favorite BBL teams.

&ldquo;The Big Bash League is just days away, and the inclusion of Pakistan&rsquo;s superstar players has truly taken the tournament to another level,&rdquo; said Melbourne Renegades General Manager James Rosengarten.

&ldquo;For the first time, players like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf will represent different teams, and that has created huge anticipation.&rdquo; added James Rosengarten.

He then spoke about the anticipation among Melbourne fans, saying that excitement has grown since news of Mohammad Rizwan joining the Melbourne Renegades emerged in the media. This is largely because Australian fans have never seen Rizwan feature in the BBL before. As a result, his appearance in Renegades colors in the upcoming edition has created a buzz in Melbourne.

&ldquo;In Australia, and especially in Melbourne, Pakistani fans are eagerly waiting for the Big Bash League. The fan clubs are ready, everyone is waiting to see when Mohammad Rizwan will step onto the field.&rdquo; said James Rosengarten.

Speaking about the importance of Mohammad Rizwan, James Rosengarten said that he forms the core of the Renegades&rsquo; batting lineup and is therefore a vital part of the team.

&ldquo;The combination of Mohammad Rizwan and Tim Seifert is very important for our team,&rdquo; said Mohammad Rizwan.

He then highlighted the importance of another young Pakistani cricketer, Hasan Khan, in BBL 15. He said the youngster will be closely watched by many fans who are looking forward to his performances.

&ldquo;Along with that, young Pakistani cricketer Hasan Khan will also be a major point of interest this season.&rdquo; said James Rosengarten.

<h2>Melbourne Renegades Ready to Compete Against Top Pakistan Players</h2>

The upcoming BBL15 will also feature other Pakistan superstars, including Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and more others. James Rosengarten acknowledged that these players will elevate the competition of the league, so Melbourne Renegades are certainly ready to compete against them in the upcoming matches.

&ldquo;Babar Azam will be playing for Sydney Sixers, but we will step onto the field fully prepared. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf will bring serious pace, but our batters will be ready to compete.&rdquo; said James Rosengarten.

When asked whether he could sign one more player from Pakistan if given the opportunity, Rosengarten said that he would love to draft Saim Ayub into the team.

&ldquo;If I had the opportunity to draft one more Pakistani player, I would definitely choose Saim Ayub,&rdquo; said James Rosengarten.

He then thanked Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi for allowing Pakistan players to participate in the league. He said the decision to issue NOCs to all the participating players is encouraging, showcasing the trusted relationship between PCB and Cricket Australia.

&ldquo;I want to thank PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi. The decision to issue No Objection Certificates (NOC) to so many Pakistani superstars is very encouraging. The cricketing relationship between Pakistan and Australia is becoming stronger with each passing day.&rdquo; concluded James Rosengarten.

Melbourne Renegades General Manager James Rosengarten expressed excitement about the arrival of Mohammad Rizwan, saying that his performances are eagerly awaited by fans.

Rizwan Set to Thrill Renegades Fans, Says GM James Rosengarten

Explore the complete Big Bash League 2025 guide with full team squads, fixtures, match dates, venues, and how to watch BBL online live on tapmad.

Big Bash League 2025: Teams, Squads, Fixtures, Venues, and Live Streaming

Shaheen Shah Afridi is all set to lead the pace attack of Brisbane Heat in the first match of the BBL 15. The Pakistan speedster was the first pick of Brisbane Heat in the last draft, where Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were also picked quickly by Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Renegades.

The pace attack of the Brisbane Heat will rely a lot on Shaheen, as the team is missing the services of Spencer Johnson and Michael Neser currently. This brings additional responsibility on Shaheen to take wickets upfront, because he has the experience and skills to give Heat an edge in the contest.

Speaking about the current situation, Shaheen admitted that both Johnson and Neser are experienced pacers, so the team will miss their absence. He expressed optimism to lead the Heat&rsquo;s attack in their absence, as it is his primary job to deliver a strong performance with the ball.

&quot;They [Johnson and Neser] are experienced bowlers for this team and I hope I play my role, that&#39;s why I&#39;m here,&quot; said <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/shaheen-afridi-net-worth-2025/2170-2-0">Shaheen Shah Afridi </a>while talking to the reporters.

He further expressed confidence in performing well with the bat so the team can get some valuable runs down the order. He understands the importance of the league, so contributing in both departments is certainly on his radar in the upcoming matches.

&quot;In all three [disciplines]... fielding, and if I need, chipping in batting as well, I&#39;ll give my best. It&#39;s not a small league and [is] well renowned as the best league and... the best cricket with the best players.&quot; said Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Brisbane Heat will take on Melbourne Renegades in the second game of BBL 15 on December 15. This means fans can experience the Shaheen vs Rizwan clash in that match. The Pakistan speedster is well aware of this challenge, and he is looking forward to taking it on with full confidence.

&quot;First game against Rizzy... a world-quality player. And Babar&#39;s here as well. They know me, I know them. Hopefully we play some good cricket here. And we&#39;re really hopeful we get the Pakistani support, and the Asian community as a whole.&quot; said Shaheen Shah Afridi.

<h2>Sharing Admiration for Mitchell Starc</h2>

Speaking about Mitchell Starc&rsquo;s record-breaking performance in the Ashes, Shaheen said he is a legend who has proven his worth in Test cricket. The Pakistan pacer then shared his last conversation with Starc, in which he expressed his admiration for the Australian star&rsquo;s spectacular spell in the 2025 ODI World Cup.

&quot;He [Starc] is a legend and last time when we chatted, I told him I watched his 2015 [World Cup] bowling spell and that&#39;s why I bowled fuller to the batsman. I can say he&#39;s a role model for any youngster... he&#39;s been the best for Australia for many years.&quot; concluded Shaheen Shah Afridi.

The upcoming BBL season is expected to be highly thrilling because Pakistani stars are all set to light up its matches with their breathtaking performances. Babar Azam will be seen in action in the first match of the league, so fans are getting excited to see him in the Sixers&rsquo; colors on December 14.&nbsp;

Shaheen Afridi is excited to lead the bowling attack of Brisbane Heat. He also shared his admiration for Mitchell Starc who recently broke Wasim Akram’s test wickets record.

Shaheen Afridi Ready to Lead to Pace Attack of Brisbane Heat

Sydney looked warm and restless when Babar Azam stepped into the SCG wearing a jersey nobody predicted. The Sixers confirmed his customised number 056, a twist born from Mitchell <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/starc-bbl-comeback-babar-azam-debut-sydney-sixers/1779-5-0">Starc</a> keeping his long-claimed 56. The reveal dropped across the team&rsquo;s feeds, and the images had fans zooming in almost instantly.

A short clip followed on the internet, and fans got excited. Just <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/babar-azam-aims-for-world-cup-triumph/2480-5-0">Babar</a> walking into the dressing room, adjusting his kit. For a club that thrives on big moments, this one felt simple yet pointed.

<h2>A Fresh Identity Before the Tournament Starts</h2>

The BBL 15 overseas signings have carried weight this year, and the Sixers leaned into it with this creative number switch. Their post caption read &ldquo;056 x 56&rdquo; and the comment threads lit up. That one moment flipped everything, turning a small tweak into the day&rsquo;s headline.

Babar&rsquo;s arrival adds another layer to a squad already comfortable under pressure. His timing, his calm, his familiarity with packed grounds, all of it blends neatly into the Sixers&rsquo; plans. The franchise needed that symbolic gesture to mark his entry.

<h2>Pakistan Stars Strengthen the League</h2>

With the season starting December 14 and running through late January, the fixture list is stacked with 44 games, many locked into prime-time windows. Fans started showing excitement on social media when the league confirmed how many Pakistani players had been snapped up across teams.

Shaheen Afridi joins him as one of the big overseas attractions. Mohammad Rizwan and Hassan Khan head to the Melbourne Renegades, Haris Rauf lines up for the Stars, Shadab Khan links with the Thunder, and Hasan Ali brings his fire to the Adelaide Strikers.

You could see the excitement written on fans&rsquo; faces during airport arrivals and open sessions. BBL has always enjoyed an international flavour, yet this season carries a different pulse.

<h2>A Season Loaded With Storylines</h2>

The Sixers believe Babar&rsquo;s presence can spark new energy. His 056 jersey might appear like a footnote, but small things often shape the mood before a ball is bowled. If he settles quickly, Sydney&rsquo;s campaign could lift early. And if he produces only one trademark cover drive in the opening week, the stands will erupt.

Sydney Sixers introduce Babar Azam’s 056 jersey ahead of BBL 15, adding intrigue as Pakistan stars arrive for a high-profile season.

Sixers Hand Babar Azam a Standout 056 Jersey For Debut Season

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has also revoked its provisional suspension on Haider Ali, a move that helps revive the young batter&rsquo;s cricketing career after the allegations against him were dropped by Manchester Police in September.

The PCB said in a statement on Wednesday that Haider had now given an NOC to participate in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). He now joins several other Pakistan players who have been issued NOCs, including Mohammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed, Sahibzada Farhan, Faheem Ashraf, Hussain Talat, Salman Irshad, Khawaja Nafay, and Ehsanaullah.

Haider has represented Pakistan in 35 T20Is and two ODIs. He was touring England with the Pakistan Shaheens at the time when a UK-born Pakistani woman filed charges against him in Manchester. Following the allegations, the PCB imposed a provisional suspension on him &quot;pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation.&quot;

On September 25, the Manchester Police dismissed all charges, stating they did not have sufficient evidence to take the case to court. This move brought to an end the court proceedings. With the case now closed, the PCB has cleared Haider to return to competitive cricket.

Haider Ali’s provisional suspension is revoked as PCB issues him an NOC to play in the BPL after Manchester Police cleared him of all charges.

PCB Lifts Haider Ali’s Suspension, Clears Him for BPL

Nic Maddinson hopes to return to top-level cricket in the Big Bash League. He has signed a one-year contract with the Sydney Thunder. On Tuesday, the Thunder announced the news, and the general manager, Trent Copeland, said he is fully confident in the 33-year-old&#39;s comeback.

Maddinson last played a professional cricket match in March when he represented New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield. Soon after, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer.

He underwent nine weeks of chemotherapy after the cancer had spread to his abdominal lymph nodes and lungs. Scans carried out in July revealed that the treatment was effective. He has since been rebuilding, sponsoring four games with Eastern Suburbs in Sydney this summer.

&quot;I&#39;m really happy to be staying with Thunder,&quot; Maddinson said. &quot;There have been a few setbacks for me lately, but I&#39;ve had amazing support from my friends, family, and the club.

&quot;Now I&#39;m just keen to lock in, get the season started and hopefully help the boys go one better than last year.&quot;

In 2016 and 2018, Maddinson played three Tests and six T20s respectively for Australia. He began his career in the BBL with the Sydney Sixers, after which he transferred to Victoria. In 2018-19 and 2021-22, he played for the Melbourne Stars and the Melbourne Renegades, respectively. In the last season, he went back to New South Wales and joined the Thunder, but a hand injury prevented him from playing a game for the club.

Thunder have welcomed Maddinson&rsquo;s re-commitment, with Copeland reiterating the value he brings both on and off the field.

&quot;We are pleased to have Maddo re-sign with us at Sydney Thunder,&quot; Copeland said. &quot;I know how eager he was to play in front of the Thunder Nation before his injury, and I know that eagerness has doubled since then. We&#39;re backing Maddo to make a real impact this season, both at the crease and through his leadership around the team.&quot;

Nic Maddinson eyes BBL comeback after cancer treatment, re-signs with Sydney Thunder.

Maddinson Re-signs with Thunder for BBL Return

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