Shaheen Afridi Returns Home After BBL Knee Injury

Pakistan's star left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi is returning home from Australia on Wednesday after sustaining a knee injury that has ended his participation in the Big Bash League season. The 25-year-old, who was playing for the Brisbane Heat, picked up the injury on December 27 during a match against the Adelaide Strikers at the Gabba in Brisbane, forcing the Pakistan Cricket Board to recall him for rehabilitation ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup next year.

Afridi hurt his right knee while fielding in the final over of Brisbane's victory over Adelaide. Initial assessments indicated no serious damage, with the board opting for a precautionary withdrawal to prioritize his recovery at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore. A PCB official noted that the decision followed consultations with Cricket Australia, emphasizing complete rest to evaluate the injury's extent with the board's medical team. Sources close to the matter confirmed that Afridi is expected to begin bowling in the nets within 10 to 15 days, alleviating concerns about his availability for the T20 World Cup, scheduled from February 7 to March 8 in India and Sri Lanka.

In a statement released by the Brisbane...