Shaheen Afridi arrives at Brisbane to make a splash at BBL as he prepares to play against the Melbourne Renegades.
Shaheen Afridi arrives to raise the heat for Brisbane: ‘That’s why I’m here’.
As Shaheen Shah Afridi lands in Australia as part of a star-studded Pakistani delegation to lead Brisbane Heat’s depleted assault in the BBL, Mitchell Starc can claim some of the credit.
At just 25, Afridi, a towering left-arm fast, is a seasoned three-format international who was selected by the Heat with the first pick in the June draft. Johan Botha’s team will be significantly depending on the man who just assumed the role of Pakistan’s ODI captain due to a season-ending injury to Spencer Johnson and Michael Neser’s Test responsibilities.
“They [Johnson and Neser] are experienced bowlers for this team and I hope I play my role, that’s why I’m here,” Afridi said on Wednesday. “In all three [disciplines]… fielding, and if I need, chipping in batting as well, I’ll give my best. It’s not a small league and [is] well-renowned as the best league and… the best cricket with the best players.”
On Monday, Afridi will make his BBL debut against the Melbourne Renegades, facing Mohammad Rizwan, the man he took over as Pakistan’s white-ball captain.
The competition, which starts on Sunday, will also include Shadab Khan of the Sydney Thunder, Hasan Ali of the Adelaide Strikers, Babar Azam of the Sydney Sixers, and Haris Rauf of the Melbourne Stars.
“First game against Rizzy… a world-quality player. And Babar’s here as well,” Afridi said. “They know me, I know them. Hopefully we play some good cricket here. And we’re really hopeful we get the Pakistani support, and the Asian community as a whole.”