Brisbane: Pakistan’s left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has been ruled out of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26 due to a knee injury, and his team, Brisbane Heat, has signed fellow Pakistani pacer Zaman Khan as his replacement. The BBL management has approved Khan’s inclusion for the remainder of the season.
Afridi Injured Against Adelaide Strikers
Afridi sustained the injury during Brisbane Heat’s match against the Adelaide Strikers at the Gabba on Saturday, January 3. While fielding at mid-on, Afridi twisted his knee attempting to stop a shot, aggravating a previous injury. He was seen in visible pain and had to leave the field. Following medical advice, he was declared unfit for the rest of the season and returned to Pakistan for treatment.
Zaman Khan: The Replacement
Brisbane Heat have roped in 24-year-old right-arm pacer Zaman Khan from Pakistan as Afridi’s replacement. Khan has represented Pakistan in 10 T20 Internationals and 1 ODI, taking 7 wickets in T20Is at an economy of 7.49, with best figures of 1/4. In his lone ODI, he went wicketless while conceding 39 runs. A native of Mirpur, Khan plays domestic cricket under Afridi’s captaincy for Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Previous Big Bash Experience
This will be Zaman Khan’s second stint in the BBL. He previously played for Sydney Thunder in BBL 13, featuring in four matches and taking eight wickets at an average of 16.38. Interestingly, his first match for Brisbane Heat will also be against Sydney Thunder on Saturday. Khan recently played in the Abu Dhabi T10 League, where he took a hat-trick in the opening match. He also represents Manchester Originals in England’s The Hundred.
Khan’s familiarity with Afridi in domestic cricket suggests he was likely recommended by Afridi as his replacement, providing Brisbane Heat with a seamless transition in the pace department.
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