Shaheen Shah Afridi’s much-anticipated Big Bash League (BBL) debut turned sour as the Pakistan fast bowler was withdrawn from the attack for dangerous bowling during Brisbane Heat’s clash against Melbourne Renegades in Geelong.

Having opted to field, Heat endured a difficult evening as Shaheen struggled for control.

In the 18th over of the Renegades’ innings, the left-armer delivered two waist-high full tosses — one each to Tim Seifert and Ollie Peake — prompting the umpires to remove him from the bowling attack under the league’s safety regulations.

Shaheen reacted with a wry smile as Heat captain Nathan McSweeney was forced to complete the remaining two deliveries of the over.

The incident capped a testing initiation for the fast bowler, who finished with figures of 0-43 from 2.4 overs, conceding three no-balls and two wides.

The evening had begun on a more promising note, with Shaheen bowling three dot balls in his second over amid considerable fanfare, heightened by the presence of Pakistan team-mate Mohammad Rizwan, who was also making his BBL debut for the Renegades.

However, Shaheen soon lost his rhythm, missing his lengths and struggling with consistency.

He was not reintroduced until the 13th over, when the Renegades took the power surge, and was promptly taken for 19 runs.

Matters worsened in the 18th over, where he leaked 15 runs before being pulled out of the attack.

The Renegades capitalised fully, posting an imposing 212 for 5. Seifert led the charge with a commanding 102 off 56 balls, while Peake provided late impetus with 57 from 29 deliveries.

Rizwan, batting at No. 3, failed to make an impact, scoring four off 10 balls before being dismissed by left-arm spinner Paddy Dooley.