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Who has replaced Shaheen in Heat playing XI (Source: @Cricbuzz, KFC Big Bash League)
Brisbane Heat had pinned their hopes on Shaheen Afridi to deliver the goods in the ongoing Big Bash League season; however, the team suffered a massive blow as Shaheen was ruled out of the tournament due to a knee injury. The injury took place during the BBL match between Heat and Adelaide Strikers as the pacer landed awkwardly and injured himself.
He left the field midway, and subsequent tests revealed that the Pakistan pacer had suffered a knee injury, and PCB recalled him for further evaluation and rehabilitation. On Wednesday, Heat is set to cross swords with Strikers in the reverse fixture, and Shaheen Afridi was replaced by Australian pacer, Ollie Patterson.
Who is Ollie Patterson, the Aussie who has replaced Shaheen?
The 19-year-old Patterson has a huge void to fill in as he replaces Shaheen in the Brisbane Heat playing XI Vs the Strikers. A prominent name in the Australian Under-19 setup, Patterson was drafted in the Heat team after a breakout season in the KFC T20 Max competition.
In the tournament, he finished as the leading wicket-taker with 15 scalps at an average of just 9.73, and conceded runs at just 6.4 runs per over. He also featured in the Youth ODIs and Tests vs India in 2023 and had done well against a strong Indian unit.
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A right-arm seamer, Patterson is known for his ability to swing the ball both ways, and due to this trait, he is a perfect like-for-like Shaheen Afridi replacement in the playing XI.
How Shaheen fared in BBL 2025-26
The team bought Shaheen as their marquee player for the ongoing season and the Pakistan seamer was expected to deliver the goods straightaway for the Heat. However, in the four matches that he played, Shaheen had average performances.
In the first match against Melbourne Renegades, Shaheen failed to execute his plan and conceded 43 runs without taking a wicket. In the clash against the Perth Scorchers, the left-arm pacer grabbed a solitary wicket, but went for 49 runs.
Against Sydney Thunder he went for 35 runs and took a solitary wicket, and in the clash against the Strikers, Shaheen was taken to the cleaners as he conceded 19 runs in his third over before getting injured.
