Shaheen Afridi FAKED INJURY in BBL? Pacer leaves field after being destroyed by Adelaide Strikers

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Shaheen Afridi of Brisbane Heat

Big Bash League 2025-26: Pakistan’s pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi found himself at the center of a major controversy during the BBL 2025-26 clash between the Brisbane Heat and Adelaide Strikers at The Gabba on Saturday, December 27.

Shaheen Afridi Injury Scare in BBL: Viral Video Sparks ‘Faking’ Controversy After Costly Over

The left-arm pacer left the field with an apparent knee injury immediately after conceding a costly 19-run over, leading to intense speculation. And then a viral video left social media divided, with fans wondering whether the Brisbane Heat bowler was faking the injury.

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Actually, Pakistan’s star fast bowler walked off the field after the 14th over of the Adelaide Strikers’ chase in the 13th match of the ongoing Big Bash League season.

Shaheen was seen limping and holding his knee, suggesting he had picked up an injury while attempting to take a catch at mid-on earlier in the BBL match at the Gabba. Bowling to Matthew Short, the Pakistani speedster delivered a slower short ball that resulted in a mistimed shot dropping just short of him as he dove to his right and probably injured his knee.

The Incident: A Costly Over Followed by an Immediate Exit

The controversy erupted during the Strikers’ chase of 180 at The Gabba. In the 12th over of the innings, Shaheen Afridi was badly attacked by Harry Manenti.

The over yielded 19 runs with Manenti smashing four boundaries against Afridi and swinging momentum firmly towards Adelaide. That poor over by Afridi put the Brisbane Heat team under serious pressure as they were defending 179 runs against the Adelaide Strikers.

The Viral Video: Fueling the “Faking” Accusations

Shortly after that expensive over, Shaheen left the field, holding his right knee. However, the situation took a dramatic turn when a video went viral on social media. The clip showed Shaheen walking normally near the boundary before suddenly limping once he realized the camera was on him at the stadium.

Moments later, Afridi was seen pointing towards his right knee before heading into the Brisbane Heat dressing room. The footage quickly went viral, sparking accusations that the injury may have been exaggerated or even faked after a costly spell against the Strikers.

Fans were quick to question Shaheen Afridi’s body language before he left the field. While there has been no official confirmation about the extent of the injury, Afridi found himself in the social media storm, raising questions about Afridi’s BBL 2025-26 campaign in Australia.

Read Also: Shaheen Afridi makes crazy statement on Pakistan’s win over India A in Rising Stars Asia Cup

Shaheen Afridi failed, but the Brisbane Heat won a thriller

Afridi failed to take a wicket as he conceded 26 runs in his three overs against the Strikers. However, the Pakistani’s miserable bowling performance didn’t prove costly for the Heat, as they registered a thrilling seven-wicket win over the Strokers in the BBL clash on Saturday.

After being asked to bat first at the Gabba, the Heat posted 179/9 on the board, thanks to Max Bryant’s explosive knock of 63 runs off 32 balls, laced with four boundaries and as many as six sixes against the Strikers. Bryant was well supported by Matt Renshaw (33).

For the Adelaide Strikers, Luke Wood, Matt Short, and Hasan Ali each scalped two wickets against the Brisbane Heat. Defending the target, Heat captain Xavier Bartlett has led the attack from the front, taking 3 wickets for 26 runs in his 4 overs. Bartlett was well supported by Jack Wildermuth and Thomas Balkin, who have taken two wickets each. Short’s blistering knock of 63 runs off 39 balls went in vain as Head defended the nine runs in the final over in the nail-biting BBL clash.