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Sydney Sixers’ underfire opener Babar Azam will not be available to play the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26 Qualifier 2 against Hobart Hurricanes on January 23. Sixers’ high profile signing Babar has been recalled for national duty ahead of the three-T20I series against Australia later this month leading up to the T20 World Cup 2026.
"I have very (much) enjoyed my time," he said. "Unfortunately, I will now have to leave the team, to go to the national duty.
"I have a lot of things I have to take back home – a lot of fun, a lot of positive things, so I have enjoyed it a lot.
"Especially, thank you to the Sydney Sixers fans; there is always support there, lot of support, lot of encourage(ment), a lot of fun, so I have very enjoyed that vibe at Sydney Cricket Ground, so thank you so much."
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Babar’s BBL numbers and the denied single controversy
Babar has been the centre of controversy in the BBL for his strike rate and outrage over Steve Smith denying him a single. Babar was visibly upset by Smith’s move while he was batting on 47 against Sydney Thunder. The Sixers skipper Moises Henriques revealed that he and the coach pacified him after the incident. The Pakistan batter did not turn up for customary handshake after the match. He took a couple of days to recover from the incident.
In his debut BBL season, Babar scored 202 runs from 11 games at an average of 22.44 and strike rate of 103.06. He scored two fifties.
Australia great wanted Babar dropped
After the incident against Sydney Thunder, Babar registered scores of 1 and 0. He was the first to fall against Perth Scorchers in the run chase in BBL Qualifier 1. Later, former Australia batter Mark Waugh said that Sixers should drop him from the side and bring in either Daniel Hughes or Jordan Silk to support an in-form Steve Smith.
"They need to rejiggle their batting, because at the moment it's almost entirely reliant on Steve Smith," Waugh said on Fox Sports commentary.
"At the moment there's not a lot of players in form, so I'm bringing in either (Daniel) Hughes or (Jordan) Silk.
"Unfortunately, I'm going to have to drop Babar Azam, I don't think he's done enough at the top of the order. I know he's world-class, but you're thinking about winning this tournament, and so far he just hasn't done (enough).
"I'm thinking about a new opener."
When will Babar play next?
Babar is likely to be seen in action in the three-T20I series against Mitchell Marsh-led Australia in Lahore. The three-T20I series commences on January 29.
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