Brisbane, 10 December 2025:
Mitchell Starc can claim a measure of influence as Shaheen Shah Afridi arrives in Australia as part of a star-studded Pakistan contingent, tasked with leading a depleted Brisbane Heat attack in the Big Bash League.
Afridi, the towering left-arm fast bowler, is already a seasoned three-format international at 25 and was taken with the No. 1 pick by the Heat in June’s draft. With Spencer Johnson sidelined for the season and Michael Neser on Test duty, Johan Botha’s side will rely heavily on Afridi, who recently took over as Pakistan’s one-day international captain.
“Those guys are experienced bowlers for this team and I hope I play my role — that’s why I’m here,” Afridi said Wednesday. “In all three disciplines, bowling, fielding and if needed, batting I’ll give my best. It’s not a small league. It’s well-renowned as the best league, with the best cricket and the best players.”
Afridi is set to make his BBL debut against the Melbourne Renegades on Monday, lining up against Mohammad Rizwan, the man he replaced as Pakistan’s white-ball captain.
Babar Azam (Sydney Sixers), Hasan Ali (Adelaide Strikers), Haris Rauf (Melbourne Stars) and Shadab Khan (Sydney Thunder) will also feature in the tournament, which begins Sunday.
“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.”
Afridi has taken 126 wickets in 96 T20 internationals at an economy rate under eight. His Test figures are equally impressive, with an average of 27 and a strike rate of 52, among the best in the modern game.
Starc’s 414th Test wicket at the Gabba last week saw him surpass Pakistan great Wasim Akram as the most prolific left-arm fast bowler in Test history. While Afridi paid tribute to Akram, he also highlighted the influence of Starc, who is a decade older, dating back to Afridi’s first international exposure as a 16-year-old.
Afridi, whose older brother Riaz also played Test cricket for Pakistan, was spotted in the country’s tape-ball circuit and taken on a development tour of Australia. He made his Test debut less than three years later.
“He is a legend,” Afridi said of Starc. “The last time we chatted, I told him I watched his 2015 World Cup bowling spell and that’s why I bowled fuller to the batsman. He’s a role model for any youngster. He’s been the best for Australia for many years.”
