![Sixers urged to drop Babar Azam [Source: X]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1768990383988_SixersurgedtodropBabarAzam.jpg?type=hq)
Sixers urged to drop Babar Azam [Source: X]
When Pakistan star Babar Azam was drafted into the Sydney Sixers squad for the Big Bash League season, the fans had optimism from the right-handed batter. However, that optimism soon turned into a nightmare as Babar failed to deliver the goods and has been poor with the bat, barring two matches.
He has played 11 matches in the tournament so far and has only accumulated 202 runs, with a strike rate of just 104, which is one of the worst in the ongoing BBL tournament. The Sixers also reached a breaking point with him when Steve Smith refused to give Babar a single, and that infuriated the Pakistan star batter.
Waugh urges Sixers to drop Babar Azam
The Sixers lost in Qualifier 1 at the hands of the Perth Scorchers, but the team still has a chance to reach the finals if they manage to beat the opponent in the Challenger. However, ahead of the mega clash, former Australian batter and cricket pundit, Mark Waugh, has made a harsh comment on Babar, as he believes that the Sixers must drop him from the playing XI to reach the finals.
“Sixers batting is totally reliant on Steve Smith. Sam Curran got them out of jail in a few games, but he is not there anymore. There are not a lot of players who are in form, so I am bringing Hughes or Silk into the team. Unfortunately, I have to drop Babar Azam. I don’t think he has done enough for the team.”
Babar Azam embarrasses himself in BBL 2025-26
The major issue for the Sydney Sixers has been at the top, and the problem starts with Babar, who has failed to do anything significant since joining the team. His strike rate has been questionable, and that has put a lot of pressure on Steve Smith, who has carried the Sixers’ batting lineup.
In one of the BBL matches, Babar played a sluggish knock against Sydney Thunder and churned out three dot balls before the Power Surge. Babar went for a single after playing dot balls, but Smith denied him a run as the Aussie batter wanted to take advantage of the situation, rather than giving a strike to his opening partner.
Will Babar be dropped from Pakistan's T20 World Cup team?
Pakistan is yet to announce its squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, and there are speculations that the selectors could take a harsh call by dropping Babar. The batter was dropped before the Asia Cup tournament and was advised by the head coach to work on his strike-rate issue.
However, eversince his comeback in the T20I squad, the strike rate problem continues to persist, and the Sixers felt the same issue as the management might want an aggressive batter in the team instead of Babar.
There are plenty of options to replace Babar in the World Cup squad and perhaps the selectors might take a bold step.
