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Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam endured another difficult outing in the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26 on December 17. Representing the Sydney Sixers against the Adelaide Strikers, Babar’s struggles continued as he was dismissed for just nine runs off 10 deliveries. The dismissal was met with audible boos from sections of the home crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground, a rare and discouraging moment for the marquee signing.
Babar Azam booed by Sydney crowd after another batting blip in BBL 2025-26
The right-handed batter arrived in Australia with high expectations, having been signed as a major overseas recruit to bolster the Sixers' top order. The tournament was viewed as a vital opportunity for Babar to rediscover his rhythm and build momentum ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup. However, the campaign has gotten off to a rocky start; following a disappointing score of just two runs in his debut against the Perth Scorchers, this second consecutive single-digit score has only intensified the scrutiny surrounding his form.
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His dismissal on Wednesday came in the third over when he mistimed a flick off Luke Wood, resulting in a simple catch for Matthew Short. With the Sydney Sixers suffering back-to-back defeats and Babar yet to make a significant impact, the pressure is mounting on both the player and the franchise to turn their season around in the upcoming fixtures.
Babar Azam’s innings against the Adelaide Strikers began with a flash of promise when he struck a boundary off just the second ball he faced. However, the momentum quickly stalled as he struggled to rotate the strike and find gaps in the field. In an attempt to break the shackles, he tried a short-arm jab off the bowling of Luke Wood, but the shot lacked the necessary elevation and went straight to Matthew Short, who secured a comfortable catch.
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As Babar departed the field with just 9 runs from 10 balls, a chorus of loud boos erupted throughout the Sydney Cricket Ground. The reaction sparked some debate among observers, as it was not entirely clear if the spectators were specifically targeting the Pakistani star for his poor form or if the noise was simply a partisan crowd reacting to the Strikers' celebratory huddle.
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Sydney Sixers managed to scrap their way to a total of 159/9. Josh Philippe provided the bulk of the resistance with a quickfire 46 off 28 deliveries, supported by a solid 32 from Jack Edwards. The Strikers' bowling attack, however, remained disciplined throughout the innings, spearheaded by Luke Wood’s 3/26 and Jamie Overton’s clinical 2/22.
The run chase proved to be a tense affair as the Strikers lost wickets at regular intervals, keeping the Sixers in the hunt. Ultimately, Liam Scott played a vital anchoring role, scoring a composed 51 to keep the scoreboard ticking. He found a reliable partner in Jamie Overton, who capped off a stellar all-round day with a crucial 30 runs to guide Adelaide to victory with four balls to spare.
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