Babar Azam-less Sydney Sixers storm into BBL final, to meet Perth Scorchers in title clash

Sydney Sixers yet again stormed into the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-2026 final following a commanding win over Hobart Hurricanes at the SCG on January 23. Under the leadership of Moises Henriques, the team delivered a dominant display to cruise to a massive 57-run victory. This clinical win was particularly impressive as it came immediately after the departure of star batter Babar Azam, who concluded his BBL campaign to return to international commitments.

Sydney Sixers book BBL final date with Perth Scorchers

The Sixers are now set to travel to Perth to face the Scorchers at Optus Stadium on January 25. This matchup marks a storied rivalry, as it will be the sixth time these two powerhouses have met in the final across 15 editions of the tournament. The Sixers will have to find a way to win without Babar Azam once again, as he has already rejoined the Pakistan national team’s training camp and will remain unavailable for the title decider.

In Babar’s absence, Sydney Sixers opted for a new opening combination, pairing BBL veteran Daniel Hughes with Steve Smith. While Hughes provided a brisk, albeit brief, spark at the top of the order, it was Smith who anchored the innings. Maintaining his red-hot form, Smith struck a powerful half-century that propelled the Sixers to a formidable total of 199. This proved to be daunting target for the Hobart Hurricanes, who collapsed under the pressure and succumbed to a 57-run loss at the SCG.

Babar Azam's flop show in BBL

Babar's departure from the tournament was necessitated by his call-up to the Pakistan national team training camp as they prepare for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. With the ICC’s final squad submission deadline set for January 31, Babar is widely expected to be a central figure in Pakistan's 15-man roster. His exit marks the end of his debut BBL season—a stint that statistically struggled to live up to his reputation as a world-class batter.