KEY POINTS
- Zaman Khan returns to the BBL having taken eight wickets in four games for Sydney Thunder in the 2023/24 season.
- Heat coach Johan Botha praised Khan as a genuine wicket-taker.
BRISBANE, Australia: Brisbane Heat have named Pakistan fast bowler Zaman Khan as the injury replacement for Shaheen Shah Afridi for the remainder of the 2025/26 Big Bash League (BBL) season after Afridi was ruled out with a knee injury.
The decision comes after Afridi, Pakistan’s ODI captain and pace spearhead, saw his much-anticipated debut BBL stint cut short by a knee injury.
His season ended after just four matches, yielding only two wickets at an expensive average of 76.50 and an economy rate of over 11 runs per over.
His campaign was further marred by a difficult debut where he was barred from bowling after delivering two beamers.
A proven performer returns
The Heat have turned to a familiar BBL figure in Zaman Khan, who featured for the Sydney Thunder in the 2023/24 season.
The 24-year-old right-arm quick impressed during that stint, claiming eight wickets from four games at an average of 16.37.
Known for his distinctive slinging action, Zaman is expected to add immediate depth and wicket-taking ability to the Heat’s bowling attack as they push for the finals.
The Slinger. Welcome Zaman Khan! #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/FALAHrQRVr
— Brisbane Heat (@HeatBBL) January 5, 2026
“He’s a genuine wicket-taker up front but he can also control an over with his variations and pace,” said Brisbane Heat coach Johan Botha, announcing the signing.
“We know he can complement our attack nicely and give us some additional options in the key bowling periods in the game. Zaman was a handful for batting line-ups when he first came on the scene but he has really evolved his game to offer plenty of options with the ball.”
Seeking a path back to national Colours
The BBL opportunity arrives at a crucial time for Zaman Khan’s career. He has been out of the Pakistan national team setup since his last appearance in April 2024, having played 10 T20Is and one ODI to date.
The paceman was most recently seen in action during the Abu Dhabi T10 league, where he took six wickets from six matches, albeit with an economy rate of 10.75.
His performances in the BBL will be closely watched not only by the Heat’s coaching staff but also by Pakistan’s selectors, as he aims to use the high-profile tournament as a platform to force his way back into international contention.
For the Brisbane Heat, the signing represents a strategic pivot to maintain their bowling firepower in the absence of a marquee player.
The team hopes Zaman Khan can quickly adapt and replicate his previous BBL success, providing the X-factor needed in the tournament’s decisive stages.
