Pakistan’s pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi endured a difficult start to his Big Bash League career after being removed from the bowling attack for delivering two over-the-waist high full tosses during his debut match for Brisbane Heat.
The incident unfolded in the 18th over of Melbourne Renegades’ innings at the GMHBA Stadium on Monday, when Heat captain Nathan McSweeney reintroduced Afridi into the attack. What followed proved costly and ultimately ended the left-armer’s spell prematurely.
Bowling his third over, Afridi was taken on by batter Oliver Peake, who launched him for a six over deep midwicket. After conceding a single off a low full toss, the 25-year-old appeared to attempt a yorker but instead bowled a high full toss that was ruled a no-ball by the on-field umpires. Tim Seifert capitalised, swinging the delivery wide of long-on and racing back for two runs to complete a rapid century.
Afridi briefly regained control by firing in a pinpoint yorker on the free hit, limiting Seifert to a single. However, his troubles resurfaced immediately when he bowled another beamer, again adjudged a waist-high no-ball. Peake failed to make contact, but a misfield behind the stumps allowed the batters to steal two byes.
With two over-the-waist no-balls in the same over, the umpires stepped in and removed Shaheen Afridi from the attack, cutting short a forgettable bowling outing. He finished with figures of 0 for 43 in 2.5 overs.
Earlier in the match, Afridi had opened his spell in the second over and was struck for two boundaries by Seifert, conceding nine runs. His second over proved even more expensive, leaking 19 runs as Seifert hit a six and a four while Peake added a boundary.
The disappointing showing came despite high expectations surrounding Afridi, who was selected by Brisbane Heat as their first overseas pick in the BBL debut draft. The performance highlighted the challenges of adapting quickly to Australian conditions and the fine margins bowlers face under pressure at the death.
