It was a debut to forget for Shaheen Afridi as nothing quite went his way on the day he began his Big Bash League journey. The Pakistan fast bowler was taken out of the attack for dangerous bowling during Brisbane Heat’s match against the Melbourne Renegades at Simonds Stadium on Tuesday.
Things unraveled in the 18th over of the first innings when Afridi bowled two waist-high full tosses, one to Tim Seifert and another to Ollie Peake. The umpires ruled the deliveries dangerous, which meant Afridi had to stop bowling. Heat captain Nathan McSweeney was left to bowl the final two deliveries of the over.
A Costly Spell From Shaheen Afridi Comes to an Early End:
Shaheen Afridi could only manage a wry smile as he walked off the field. His debut spell ended abruptly, with figures of 0 for 43 from just 2.4 overs. The over proved especially expensive, going for 15 runs and including three no-balls. He also sent down two wides, adding to what turned into a difficult night.
There were flashes of promise early on. Afridi had shown good control at the start of his spell, bowling three dot balls in a row during his second over. However, once things slipped, he struggled to find his rhythm again.
Pressure Builds During Power Surge:
The left-arm pacer was brought back into the attack in the 13th over, during the Renegades’ Power Surge. Unfortunately for Afridi, the pressure only increased as he conceded 19 runs in that over.
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His final over only added to the struggles, sealing a rough start to his BBL career. He finished the match with a high economy rate of 16.10, underlining how challenging the outing had been.
Renegades Make the Most of Heat’s Struggles:
The Melbourne Renegades fully capitalised on Brisbane Heat’s bowling issues, piling up an imposing total of 212 for 5. Tim Seifert was the star of the innings, playing a superb knock of 102 from 56 balls. Ollie Peake provided strong support towards the end, smashing a quick 57 off 29 balls.
Mohammad Rizwan, who was also making his BBL debut for the Renegades, couldn’t make much of an impact. He scored just four runs from ten balls before being dismissed by left-arm spinner Paddy Dooley.
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A Reminder of How Tough the BBL Can Be:
Despite the disappointing start, Afridi’s debut drew plenty of attention and served as a clear reminder of how demanding the Big Bash League can be. Even top-level international players are quickly tested, and for Afridi, this was a harsh introduction to Australian conditions.
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