Shaheen Afridi’s BBL Debut Unravels After Umpires Stop Him for Dangerous Bowling
Shaheen Afridi’s Big Bash debut ends prematurely after waist-high full tosses prompt umpires to halt his bowling spell.
Pakistan pace sensation Shaheen Afridi's highly anticipated Big Bash League debut turned into a nightmare on Monday when umpires removed him from the attack for dangerous bowling during Brisbane Heat's fixture against Melbourne Renegades at GMHBA Stadium. In the 18th over, Afridi bowled two waist-high full tosses—to Tim Seifert and Ollie Peake—forcing officials to enforce the rule and halt his spell prematurely, with captain Nathan McSweeney completing the over.
The left-arm quick had entered the tournament amid significant hype, joining a growing list of Pakistani stars in the BBL alongside compatriot Mohammad Rizwan, who was also making his debut for the Renegades. Afridi showed flashes of his trademark swing early on, starting his second over with three consecutive dot balls, but struggled to maintain control as the innings progressed.
Reintroduced during the Power Surge in the 13th over, Afridi conceded 19 runs, and his troubles escalated in the fateful 18th, where the over cost 15 runs, including three no-balls. He finished with figures of 0-43 from just 2.4 overs, posting an expensive economy rate of 16.10 in a spell marred by inconsistency on a batter-friendly pitch.
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Melbourne Renegades seized the momentum, posting a challenging 212 for 5, propelled by Tim Seifert's dominant century—102 off 56 balls—and Ollie Peake's brisk 57 from 29 deliveries. Rizwan, batting for the Renegades, contributed a modest 4 off 10 balls before being dismissed, ensuring both Pakistani debutants endured forgettable outings.
The incident served as a reminder of the BBL's strict enforcement of player safety laws, where a second high full toss in an innings triggers immediate removal from the attack. Afridi could only manage a wry smile as he walked off, highlighting the unforgiving nature of franchise T20 cricket even for established international bowlers.
Despite the setback, Brisbane Heat and fans will hope Afridi quickly adapts in subsequent matches to display the pace and precision that have made him one of the world's leading fast bowlers. The league continues to attract top global talent, with such debut challenges underscoring the competitive intensity that defines Australia's premier domestic T20 competition.
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