The Big Bash League 2025–26 is already heating up, and the banter has begun on the field. Pakistan teammates Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan are set to face off as rivals in the Brisbane Heat vs Melbourne Renegades clash on December 15, and the exchanges have started even before the first ball is bowled.
Also Read: PSL dates announced, second straight overlap with IPL window confirmed
Shaheen Afridi is representing Brisbane Heat, while Mohammad Rizwan will don the gloves for Melbourne Renegades in the opening fixture at Simonds Stadium, Geelong.
Shaheen Afridi fires playful warning at Rizwan
During a pre-match segment on Fox Cricket, the host informed Afridi that Rizwan had jokingly warned he would “hit him out of the park” during the game. Shaheen, without missing a beat, replied with a grin, “I will not allow him to do that,” sparking laughter on the panel.
The comment didn’t go unnoticed. Rizwan, stationed behind the stumps during the interaction, was seen mock-scolding Afridi, adding to the light-hearted rivalry. While competitive, the exchange reflected the strong camaraderie the duo share off the field.
Despite representing Pakistan together across formats, Afridi and Rizwan are no strangers to on-field disagreements. Earlier this year during the Champions Trophy 2025, Rizwan was visibly unhappy after Afridi bowled a loose delivery that was dispatched for a boundary by Tom Latham, leading to a brief on-field spat.
Interestingly, Afridi also replaced Rizwan as Pakistan’s ODI captain, a decision he later revealed was taken after discussions with Rizwan himself, underlining the mutual respect between the two.
Now, however, the focus shifts to club rivalry. Afridi will look to exploit early swing conditions with the new ball, while Rizwan aims to anchor the Renegades’ innings, setting the stage for an entertaining personal duel within the contest.
