Just a day before a high-stakes Big Bash League finals clash, Sydney Sixers were forced into an unexpected change. Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam has left the Sixers camp to join his national team and will not feature in the remainder of the BBL finals. The franchise confirmed his departure on Thursday, barely 24 hours before their Challenger match against Hobart Hurricanes.
Babar Azam was initially signed with the expectation that he would be available for the entire tournament. Earlier this month, he was not selected for Pakistan’s T20I series against Sri Lanka, which cleared his schedule for the BBL. However, plans shifted when Pakistan began preparations for upcoming international assignments. The 29-year-old was recalled at short notice and flew back home immediately, bringing his Australian stint to an abrupt end.
Losing a marquee overseas player so close to a knockout match would normally be a major setback for any team. In the case of the Sixers, though, the situation has been met with a sense of conflicted relief. While Babar Azam’s reputation as one of the finest batters of his generation remains intact, his performances in this season’s BBL failed to match expectations.
His statistics paint a clear picture. Babar Azam scored 202 runs across 11 matches, averaging 22.44. More notably, his strike rate stood at 103.06, the lowest ever recorded in the BBL history for a batter who crossed the 200-run mark in a single season. In a tournament built around aggressive scoring and quick momentum shifts, those numbers drew growing criticism.
Before leaving, Babar Azam released a statement, thanking Sydney Sixers for the opportunity. He expressed gratitude to his teammates, coaches and especially fans, sharing that his time with the franchise had been enjoyable and full of positive experiences. He also acknowledged the special atmosphere at the Sydney Cricket Ground, saying the support he received would stay with him as he returned home for national duties.
The Sixers management admitted that the timing of Pakistan’s call-up was unexpected but reiterated that international commitments always take priority. Behind the scenes, however, there had already been mounting pressure on the team to reconsider Babar Azam’s place in the playing XI. Despite being the highest run-scorer in the T20I history, his slow scoring rate and lack of impact had become a talking point throughout the season.
His BBL stint also saw a brief moment of tension involving teammate Steve Smith. During one match, Steve Smith chose not to give Babar Azam the strike late in the innings, which appeared to frustrate the Pakistani batter. Babar was seen reacting angrily on his way back to the pavilion and reports suggested he kept to himself for several hours afterward. Sixers captain Moises Henriques later addressed the situation, explaining that it stemmed from a cultural misunderstanding and took a couple of days to smooth over. He clarified that once things were explained, the issue was resolved and both the players moved on amicably.
With Babar Azam now out of the picture, the Sixers have brought back experienced opener Daniel Hughes into the squad for the Challenger, hoping the change will give them renewed balance as they push forward in the finals.
