Shaheen Afridi's potential replacements in Pakistan squad for T20 World Cup 2026

Debashis Sarangi

Shaheen Afridi with his Pakistan teammates [Source: AFP]Shaheen Afridi with his Pakistan teammates [Source: AFP]

Pakistan's experienced fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has been ruled out of the Big Bash League due to a knee injury. Shaheen Afridi left the field midway during Brisbane Heat's recent BBL encounter against Adelaide Strikers after sustaining a knee injury. A statement issued by the BBL confirmed that Shaheen has been recalled to Pakistan by the PCB to commence rehabilitation. 

This is not the first time Shaheen has developed a troublesome knee right before a marquee event. The ace speedster also missed the 2022 Asia Cup due to a similar injury, and it won't be surprising if the fitness setback sidelines him from the T20 World Cup as well. 

The T20 World Cup starts in just over five weeks, and if Shaheen's injury keeps him out of the tournament, here are four fast bowlers who can get an entry into Pakistan's squad. 

Abbas Afridi

Criterion
Data
Matches24
Wickets38
Average15.5
Strike Rate11
Economy8.49

(Abbas Afridi's T20I record)

Right-arm fast bowler Abbas Afridi has been a consistent performer for Pakistan in limited opportunities. The seamer has bagged 38 wickets in just 24 matches at a superb strike rate of 11. 

Besides providing Pakistan with a potent bowling option in the middle and death overs, Abbas Afridi can also chip in with valuable cameos lower down the order. So, his past T20I performance and multidimensional attributes could prompt Pakistan to recall Afridi if Shaheen gets ruled out of the T20 World Cup. 

Hasan Ali

Criterion
Data
Matches31
Wickets58
Average17.96
Strike Rate11.70

(Hasan Ali in T20 cricket this year)

As evidenced by the above stats, Hasan Ali has been impressive with the ball in T20s this year. The seasoned campaigner has scalped 58 wickets in just 31 matches, taking less than twelve deliveries per dismissal. 

Hasan Ali is an in-form pacer who could be on Pakistan's radar for the T20 World Cup, with doubts looming over Shaheen Afridi's participation. His experience and ability to bowl in all three phases make him a suitable replacement for Shaheen in the showpiece event. 

Mir Hamza

A left-arm pacer, who can make the new ball talk, Mir Hamza can cause real problems for the opposition in the powerplay. Although he has the reputation of a Test specialist, Mir Hamza has shown his class in T20 cricket, scalping 75 wickets in 71 innings at a strike rate of 20.5. 

Given that Haris Rauf is likely to get in as Pakistan's primary middle overs enforcer, Mir Hamza's new ball bowling skills might prove beneficial for the Men in Green if Shaheen's injury sidelines him from the competition. 

Ahmed Daniyal

Criterion
Data
Matches11
Wickets15
Average16.4
Strike Rate14.8

(Ahmed Daniyal's T20 record in 2025)

Right-arm pacer Ahmed Daniyal made his T20I debut for Pakistan alongside Salman Mirza against Bangladesh earlier this year. While Mirza managed to retain his T20I spot on the back of several impressive performances, Daniyal was left out of the team despite showing glimpses of his brilliance. 

However, Shaheen Afridi's untimely injury might pave the way for Ahmed Daniyal's T20I comeback for the World Cup, as the fast bowler has had a fruitful year in the shortest format. 

Statistically, Daniyal has scalped 15 wickets in eleven T20 matches this year and can be a valuable option for the Men in Green across all three phases if Afridi's knee injury rules him out of the T20 World Cup.