Shaheen Afridi Warns Haris Rauf Ahead of BBL 15 Clash

Pakistan’s star fast bowler, Shaheen Afridi, recently made a playful comment aimed at his teammate and fellow speedster, Haris Rauf, ahead of the Big Bash League (BBL) Season 15. In a light-hearted interview, Shaheen joked about how he would handle facing Rauf in the tournament.

Speaking with a smile, Shaheen Afridi said, “I hope Haris Rauf doesn’t dare to bowl against me in the BBL. If he does, I’ll hit him for many sixes.” His humorous warning drew laughter and reflected the friendly competition between the two pace aces of Pakistan.

Shaheen Afridi will be playing for Brisbane Heat in the upcoming BBL season. It will be his first appearance in the tournament, and he seems excited to bring his energy to the Australian league.

In a previous interview, shortly after he was picked by Brisbane Heat during the BBL draft, Shaheen was asked which batter’s wicket he would treasure the most: Babar Azam, Steve Smith, or David Warner.

Rather than naming just one, the 25-year-old left-arm pacer respectfully said all three are important targets for him.

“For me, it’s all three,” he said cheerfully. “I wouldn’t pick just one because they are all top-quality players. Taking the wicket of any one of them would be a proud moment. They are key figures in their teams, and I would love to dismiss each of them.”

Shaheen Afridi also shared his excitement about the large number of Pakistani cricketers participating in this season’s BBL. Well-known names like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shadab Khan are all set to feature in the tournament, making it a special occasion for fans of Pakistani cricket.

“This year, around six or seven Pakistani players are playing in the BBL, and I’m really looking forward to competing with and against them,” he said.

He added, “We recently played together in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), and these guys have been shining for Pakistan for years. They are match-winners, and whenever we go head-to-head in the BBL, I think fans — especially Pakistani supporters — will really enjoy it. I hope we can all deliver great performances and entertain the crowds.”

Shaheen also spoke about his desire to help Brisbane Heat win the BBL trophy. As a former captain who has led teams to victories in the PSL, he knows what it takes to win and values team spirit and enjoyment.

“It would be amazing to win a trophy in my first season. That would make this journey even more memorable,” he said. “In the PSL, we won three titles, and what made the difference was how the team management gave us freedom and supported the players.”

He further added, “That kind of positive environment helps you perform at your best. Brisbane Heat is a very good team, and I’m hopeful that we can win the championship together.”

It’s important to note that Shaheen Afridi was the first overall pick in the BBL Season 15 Draft, which took place on June 19. Brisbane Heat quickly secured him, showing their confidence in his skills.

A total of six out of the eight BBL franchises showed interest in signing Pakistani national players. Mohammad Rizwan, the experienced wicketkeeper-batter and former T20I captain, was the third platinum pick in the draft. England’s Luke Wood was chosen second, highlighting the high competition in the draft pool.

Shaheen Afridi isn’t the only Pakistani player heading to Australia for the BBL. Here’s a list of Pakistani stars who will be in action during the 2025 season:

• Mohammad Rizwan: Signed by the Melbourne Renegades, he brings experience and stability at the top of the batting order.
• Haris Rauf: Retained by the Melbourne Stars, where he’s already known for his fiery pace and wicket-taking ability.
• Shadab Khan: The T20I vice-captain and all-rounder has joined Sydney Thunder. His leg-spin and batting prowess will be key assets.
• Babar Azam: Pakistan’s batting superstar was pre-signed by the Sydney Sixers and will be making his BBL debut.
• Hasan Ali: The energetic right-arm pacer has been picked up by the Adelaide Strikers.
• Hassan Khan: A former U19 all-rounder from Pakistan, Hassan is returning to the Melbourne Renegades.

With this strong lineup of Pakistani talent, BBL 15 is shaping up to be a thrilling season for cricket fans around the world — especially for the Pakistani audience who’ll be eager to see their heroes perform on the big stage in Australia.

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