Shaheen Afridi in attack; No Labuschagne, Khawaja: Brisbane Heat's strongest XI for BBL 25-26

Brisbane Heat strongest XI [Source: @HeatBBL/x.com]

The wait is over as the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26 is just around the corner, and teams will fight it out for the coveted trophy. One of the hot favourites for this season is the Brisbane Heat as the squad is filled with a plethora of talent, and they also have Pakistan star, Shaheen Afridi, in their ranks.

He will spearhead the Brisbane Heat bowling attack and ahead of the brand new season, here is how the Heat could lineup with Shaheen in their main team.

Brisbane Heat BBL 2025-26 squad

Shaheen Shah Afridi (contracted until BBL|15), Tom Alsop (BBL|15), Xavier Bartlett (BBL|18), Max Bryant (BBL|18), Lachlan Hearne (BBL|16), Spencer Johnson (BBL|17), Usman Khawaja (BBL|15), Matt Kuhnemann (BBL|15), Marnus Labuschagne (BBL|15), Nathan McSweeney (BBL|16), Colin Munro (BBL|15), Michael Neser (BBL|15), Oli Patterson (BBL|15), Jimmy Peirson (BBL|15), Matthew Renshaw (BBL|17), Callum Vidler (BBL|16), Hugh Weibgen (BBL|17), Jack Wildermuth (BBL|16)

Munro to open with Aussie star

With the likes of Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne playing in The Ashes, the batting looks a bit thin on star power, but the Heat does have two quality openers in their ranks in Colin Munro and Nathan McSweeney. Munro has been an exceptional BBL and T20I performer, and the young Australian star will complement him well.

(Munro in BBL)

• Munro has played 53 matches in the BBL and has racked up 1408 runs with a strike rate of 128.81. He is an aggressive opener and will be the key factor for the Heat if they are to win the tournament.
• To complement him, the Heat has McSweeney, who is most likely to open the innings alongside Munro. He may not have the best strike rate in the team, but the Aussie star has the potential to become one of the best.

A depleted middle order with hopes pinned on Renshaw

Heat has a weakened middle-order for this season, and all their hopes will be pinned on Matt Renshaw, who needs to take the middle-order ownership for the Heat. The team also has Max Bryant and Jimmy Peirson, but Renshaw will hold the key and the stats tell the story.

(Renshaw in BBL)

• He has experience playing in 80 BBL matches and has racked up 1,800 runs with a healthy strike rate of 132.84. The other batters will also need to chip in to support Renshaw as the team lacks the firepower.
• Tom Alsop will also be a key batter as the keeper-batter has a history of playing key knocks down the order and will be Heat's prime finisher.

A fearsome bowling attack led by Shaheen

Brisbane Heat could be bolstered with the arrival of Michael Neser, but he is currently playing in The Ashes. If he is not released from the Aussie squad, Shaheen Afridi will be the one to lead the bowling attack. He has an excellent T20I track record and the Australian pitches will suit his bowling.

(Shaheen in T20Is)

• In just 96 T20I matches, Shaheen has bagged 126 wickets, and the economy stands at just 7.71 runs per over, which is excellent considering that Shaheen plays a lot of games on flat Pakistan wickets.
• He'll be well supported by Xavier Bartlett and Matt Kuhnemann as the two experienced player will be the leader alongside Shaheen. Bartlett in particular has been impressive, picking up 60 BBL wickets in just 49 matches.
• However, the team will miss the services of Spencer Johnson, as the bowler has been ruled out of the tournament due to an injury.

Brisbane Heat strongest XI for BBL 2025-26

Colin Munro, Nathan McSweeney, Max Bryant, Matt Renshaw, Tom Alsop, Jimmy Peirson, Jack Wildermuth, Shaheen Afridi, Xavier Bartlett, Matt Kuhnemann, Callum Vidler

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