Pakistan's Afridi out of Big Bash League with knee injury

Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has picked up a knee injury in Australia's Big Bash League and will return home for rehabilitation ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup starting in February, his team Brisbane Heat said on Tuesday.

Afridi, 25, suffered a knee cartilage injury fielding during Saturday's win over Adelaide Strikers, Heat said in a statement.

"After consulting with the Pakistan Cricket Board’s medical staff during the past 24 hours, it was agreed that Afridi would ... return home for further treatment," it added.

Afridi, making his debut in the Australian franchise-based T20 league, took two wickets in four appearances for Heat.

“The BBL was everything I had heard it would be – lots of good, skilful cricket. I have enjoyed the challenge," Afridi said in a statement shared by the team.

Pakistan will begin their T20 World Cup campaign on February 7 with a group stage game against Netherlands in Colombo.