Big Bash League 2025-26: Shaheen Afridi to shoulder Brisbane Heat bowling load amid injury concerns

The Brisbane Heat has one of the best BBL bowling attacks on paper, but concerns over two quicks will lift the demand of their overseas import.

The question marks over a pair of Brisbane Heat quicks will likely increase the reliance on star import Shaheen Afridi.

Spencer Johnson has an important scan this week but is expected to miss the first half of the Big Bash League season with a back stress fracture.

Up-and-coming pacemen Callum Vidler is in a similar situation after he was sidelined with the same injury in September.

The Heat, which won the BBL title two years ago, still have top-liners Xavier Bartlett and Michael Neser but their availability hinges on national selection.

Pakistan's Shaheen Afridi celebrates a wick in a recent white-ball series. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)

Neser, in particular, is with the Australian Test squad and is in the frame to add to his two Test matches.

The Heat took Afridi with Pick No. 1 in the draft back in June, bolstering what was a strong attack on paper.

Top-order bat Matt Renshaw says the world class Afridi is going to be important in the Heat’s season as they brace for injury findings.

“(Afridi is) obviously a really talented player who has done so well in international cricket and T20 leagues worldwide,” Renshaw said.

“It’s going to be nice having him up our sleeve and depending on some injuries it might be pretty important that we have him.

“I think that’s what you look at the draft for, we obviously had a tough year last year and got that No. 1 draft pick.

“It’s exciting to have someone like Shaheen come in, hopefully he can do a really good job for us.”

Spencer Johnson is set for a key scan this week. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)

Renshaw, who himself is in the frame for national selection, says consistency in the line-up is the key to success in the Twenty20 format.

He expects Xavier Bartlett to continue his ascension by leading the Heat bowling attack alongside Afridi.

“Xavier Bartlett has sort of made a name for himself in that Australian T20 team quite consistently,” Renshaw said.

“Then you’ve got a lot of guys coming through, a lot of exciting quick bowlers, it just depends on what that side looks like for that first game pending injuries.”

The Heat start their season against the Melbourne Renegades in Geelong on December 15.