Babar leaves BBL early to join Pakistan camp

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LAHORE: Pakistan batting star Babar Azam will abandon his stint with the Sydney Sixers and miss the remainder of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26 finals series after being recalled to join Pakistan’s national team camp ahead of upcoming international commitments, the club said on Thursday.
The Sixers confirmed that Azam, one of the marquee overseas recruits for the BBL season, will depart Australia immediately to prepare for Pakistan’s T20 International series against Australia and the T20 World Cup beginning in February. As a result, he will not be available for selection in the Challenger match against the Hobart Hurricanes or, if the Sixers progress, the BBL final.
“Babar Azam has been recalled to join Pakistan’s national camp ahead of upcoming international fixtures. He will be unavailable for the remainder of the BBL15 Finals Series,” the Sixers said in a statement.
Azam, 31, thanked fans, teammates and the coaching staff in a video message shared by the Sixers on social media, saying he enjoyed his time in Sydney and appreciated the support of the club’s followers.
His early exit comes after a challenging campaign in Australian conditions, where the former Pakistan captain struggled to consistently find form. In 11 BBL matches this season, Azam scored 202 runs at an average of 22.44, with a strike rate of just over 103 — figures that fell short of expectations for a top-order batter of his reputation.
Although he registered two half-centuries — including an unbeaten 58 to help guide the Sixers to victory against the Melbourne Renegades — much of his tournament was marked by underwhelming scores and a tempo that analysts said did not mesh well with the high-pressure demands of T20 cricket in Australia.
Local media and fan commentary had highlighted a number of single-digit dismissals and some former players publicly questioned his place in the Sixers’ side.
Babar’s departure is seen as a strategic move by Pakistan’s cricket board to prioritise preparations for key international fixtures, including the T20 World Cup, where conditions and competition levels differ markedly from the BBL. Pakistan opens its World Cup campaign on February 7 against the Netherlands and will face strong opposition in the build-up series with Australia.
The Sydney Sixers will replace Azam in their playing squad with domestic recruit Daniel Hughes. The club acknowledged Azam’s contribution this season and wished him well for his upcoming national duty.