Pakistan ODI captain Shaheen Afridi has been ruled out of competitive cricket after suffering an injury during the BBL match between Brisbane Heat and Adelaide Strikers. A major update has been issued confirming his recovery from his knee injury ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Pakistan have ramped up their 2026 ICC T20 World Cup preparations as they have announced a three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka from January 7. As per the agreement between BCCI and PCB, Pakistan will play all its matches at neutral venues outside India.
With Sri Lanka as the official co-host of the competition, Pakistan are to play the entire tournament in the Sri Lankan islands, and if they reach the knockouts, they will also be played in Sri Lanka. Therefore, the PCB announced the Sri Lanka tour at short notice and with approval from the SLC.
Shaheen Afridi’s return date finalized before ICC T20 World Cup
Pakistan had lost its experienced fast bowler Shaheen Afridi before the marquee tournament. Pakistan suffered an injury to Shaheen Afridi, one of its most important campaigners in ICC tournaments. Pakistan’s ODI captain suffered a knee injury during the BBL contest with Brisbane Heat.
He was therefore ruled out of the remainder of the BBL season, while other Pakistani players such as Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf continued to star in the Australian T20 league.
The latest update by way of report on Shaheen Afridi has clarified that the fast bowler has started rehabilitation for his knee injury at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, and the doctors and physio have recommended him a week’s rehabilitation.
Marking the end of his rehabilitation, Afridi will resume bowling in the nets after the MRI report was found satisfactory and no serious injury concerns have been mentioned through the report.
Update on Shaheen Shah Afridi’s injury
– He has started rehab of his knee at NCA Lahore
– Doctors have advised 1 week rehab
– After this he will start bowling. MRI report is satisfactory, no serious injury, (Qadir Khawaja) pic.twitter.com/B4PG0qtllq– Junaz (@dhilllow_) 5 January 2026
Shaheen Afridi did not have a good season in BBL
Pakistan’s left-arm bowling all-rounder did not have a very good start in the Big Bash League. He was selected by the Brisbane Heat and featured in all four games before being ruled out due to injury.
Playing for the Heat in his first BBL season, Afridi was not economical enough and conceded a lot of runs in his spells. In four matches, he managed to take only 2 wickets, one against Perth Scorchers and the other against Sydney Thunder.
He also played against his teammates Shadab Khan and Mohammad Rizwan, who are playing BBL for Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Renegades respectively.
Will Shaheen Afridi play Australia T20 series before the World Cup?
Shaheen was not selected in the Pakistan squad for the upcoming three-match T20I tour of Sri Lanka. The injury probably forced the PCB to not consider him for the World Cup preparation series. However, a few days later, he was named in Pakistan’s provisional squad for the T20 World Cup.
Citing his big miss in the Sri Lanka tour, Shaheen may be keen to play in the home series against Australia. The three-match T20I series between Australia and Pakistan was likely to be held between January 30 and February 5, while the ODI league of the series will be held in March following the ICC T20 World Cup proceedings.
Also read: Shreyas Iyer officially appointed captain to return to cricket
