![Babar Azam speaks after exiting BBL [Source: X]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1769064318113_BabarAzamspeaksafterexitingBBL.jpg?type=hq)
Babar Azam speaks after exiting BBL [Source: X]
Expectations were high when the Sydney Sixers roped in Pakistan star batter Babar Azam to their side for the BBL 2025-26 season, but fast forward eleven games later, the Pakistan batter turned out to be a disappointing acquisition. He couldn’t deliver much, barring two fifties, as the Sixers opener put pressure on the middle-order batters.
The Sixers lost against the Perth Scorchers in Qualifier 1 of the tournament, and Babar was dismissed for a duck. After the clash, Pakistan recalled him as the batter is set to participate in the series against Australia, and will miss the Challenger match against Hobart Hurricanes.
After getting released from the BBL, Babar released his first statement, thanking the Sydney Sixers fans for the lovely hospitality, and also gave his regards to the entire players, and the coaching staff.
Babar Azam's poor BBL tournament that hampered Sixers
There was a sense of optimism when Babar was picked by the Sixers, but the batter failed to adapt to the Australian conditions and struggled for runs at the top as his strike rate once again came under scrutiny.
The right-handed player took part in 11 matches as he only scored 202 runs, and the strike rate reflected his sorry state of affairs as he struck at 103.06 and had an average of just 22.
This put a lot of pressure on other batters and it also reflected on their stats as the Sydney Sixers have hit the lowest sixes in the ongoing tournament.
Babar's controversial moment in BBL
The Sixers gave Babar eleven games to deliver the goods, but their breaking point came when the team collided against city rivals, the Sydney Thunder. In that game, Steve Smith, Babar’s opening partner, was striking at more than 20, while Babar ended the innings with a strike rate of 120.
This infuriated Smith as he even denied Babar a single before the Power Surge and the Australian batter justified the call by smacking 32 runs in a single over. However, the moment didn’t go well with Babar, who, reportedly, had an argument with Smith in the dressing room.
He was given another chance against the Scorchers in Qualifier 1, but the batter was stumped and was dismissed for a duck.
Despite failure, Babar to be included in Pakistan World Cup team
Before the Asia Cup in 2025, Babar was dropped from the T20Is by head coach Mike Hesson, citing strike-rate issues. He was eventually drafted back into the team after the tournament, but the problem continued to persist.
The BBL 2025-26 was an opportunity for Babar to silence his strike-rate critics, but he failed to do so. However, this won’t have any implications on his T20 World Cup selection as the selectors have reportedly picked the squad, and have included Babar in it.
The 31-year-old is likely to bat at number 3 in the World Cup, and before the mega event, he will take part in the Australia T20Is and the management would hope that he delivers with the bat and works on his strike rate.
