BBL15 SWOT analysis: Can Shaheen Afridi's Brisbane Heat bag their 3rd title?

Kaushik Kashyap

Brisbane Heat [Source - AFP Photos]Brisbane Heat [Source - AFP Photos]

Two-time champions Brisbane Heat will begin their 2025-26 campaign on December 15 in Geelong, facing the Melbourne Renegades on the second day of the season. After a difficult title defence in 2024-25 edition that ended in a seventh-place finish, the Heat enter with hopes of a much-needed revival.

Last season’s struggles exposed inconsistencies across Brisbane Heat’s line-up, prompting a reset ahead of BBL15. Fresh signings offer upside, yet key unavailability and injury concerns complicate their path forward. With both promise and pressure surrounding the squad, let’s dive deeper into what lies ahead.

Brisbane Heat squad for BBL 2025-26

Shaheen Shah Afridi, Tom Alsop, Xavier Bartlett, Max Bryant, Lachlan Hearne, Spencer Johnson (injured), Usman Khawaja, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan McSweeney, Colin Munro, Michael Neser, Oli Patterson, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Callum Vidler (injured), Hugh Weibgen, and Jack Wildermuth.

Strengths of Brisbane Heat in BBL 2025-26

1. Pace attack ft. Shaheen Afridi

Brisbane Heat enter BBL 2025-26 with a promising pace unit headlined by Shaheen Afridi, whose impact adds an x-factor to an already dynamic attack. With emerging talent and returning specialists, the Heat’s fast-bowling group is expected to be their biggest strength.

  • Shaheen Afridi's powerplay dominance - taking 23 wickets this year in PP at around 7 RPO in all T20s
  • Xavier Bartlett strengthens the new ball as well - 11 international powerplay wickets at a 20.8 average.
  • Bartlett excels in the death overs where has bowled the most in T20 leagues - 20 wickets since 2024 at a 9.1 strike rate.
  • Shaheen Afridi enjoying a good time in the death as well in 2025 - 17 wickets at around 7.6 RPO in all T20s.
  • Jack Wildermuth adds essential depth, covering for Michael Neser, who remains a major boost when available.
  • Oli Patterson brings sharp left-arm pace, emerging as a promising breakout option.

2. Middle-order batting firepower

Brisbane Heat possess a middle-order which shone in middle-overs (7-16 overs) last edition and is expected to repeat the same this edition. 

  • Matt Renshaw fuels momentum, striking at 175.61 last season in this phase.
  • Marnus Labuschagne if available adds extra potency, who struck at 195 last season between 7-16 overs.
  • Max Bryant, who also struck over 157 in the middle, accelerated into the death, raising his strike rate to 200 last season.
  • Tom Alsop - 178.79 strike-rate late in the innings in 2024-25, coming off a strong T20 Blast season to support the Heat’s finishing.
  • Emerging talents like Hugh Weibgen add creativity, offering inventive shots and depth to the batting line-up.

Weaknesses of Brisbane Heat in BBL 2025-26

1. Slow and inconsistent top-order 

Brisbane Heat lack explosive firepower at the top, relying heavily on aging or inconsistent batsmen. Without early momentum, they risk repeating last season’s slow starts and middle-over dependence.

  • Brisbane Heat were the slowest batting team in the powerplay in BBL 2024-25 - 117.59 SR
  • Colin Munro shoulders acceleration duties, but struggled last season, making early innings vulnerable.
  • Matt Renshaw was the only batter who got going against the new ball last season for the Heat.
  • Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne arrive post-Ashes, limiting aggressive top-order options during the initial phase.

Brisbane Heat batters in powerplay last season

Players
Average
Strike-rate
Usman Khawaja
23255.56
Matt Renshaw57154.05
Marnus Labuschagne
NA
146.15
Nathan McSweeney36.50
114.06
J Peirson18
83.72
Colin Munro14.3367.19

2. Spin attack concerns

Brisbane Heat has a thin spin arsenal this season, relying heavily on Matthew Kuhnemann's finger spin.

  • Kuhnemann becomes the main spin option, expected to control the middle overs and provide breakthroughs.
  • Absence of a specialist leg-spinner limits variation with Mitchell Swepson's departure.

Opportunities

1. Emerging talent in the pace & finishing departments

Brisbane Heat boast emerging talent who can transform their campaign. Left-arm pacer Olli Patterson can emerge as one of the top young guns, while Hugh Weibgen fundamentals suitable for batting at the end of the innings. 

2. Utilising the recent form

Nathan McSweeney arrives after a recent double century against England Lions, and Colin Munro will be hoping to carry his recent form with the bat from T10 and CPL, where he scored 416 runs at a 162.5 strike rate.

Threats

1. Bowling vulnerabilities

A bad day for strike pacers Shaheen Afridi or Xavier Bartlett, combined with injuries to other key fast bowlers like Spencer Johnson, could severely weaken the Heat’s bowling attack, with not many backup options.

2. Colin Munro must bounce back

Brisbane Heat’s cannot afford another poor season from Colin Munro, who could only manage 46 runs in six innings at a 62.16 strike-rate in BBL 2024-25. 

Brisbane Heat's probable XI for BBL 2025-26

Colin Munro, Nathan McSweeney, Matt Renshaw, Tom Alsop, Max Bryant, Hugh Weibgen, Jack Wildermuth, Oli Patterson, Xavier Bartlett, Matthew Kuhnemann and Shaheen Afridi.

Expected finish: Might qualify for the playoffs.