The leading run-scorer in T20Is, Pakistan's Babar Azam is yet to score in double digits in his debut Big Bash League (BBL) season. Opening for Sydney Sixers against Adelaide Strikers, Babar fell for another single-digit score. Troubled by the bounce again, Babar lost his wicket to England's left-arm pacer Luke Wood in the third over of the innings.
After Adelaide Strikers captain Matthew Short won the toss and opted to bowl at Sydeny Sixers’ homeground, Wood opened the bowling. On the fourth ball of the first over, Wood bowled one on the pads and Babar flicked it for his first boundary of BBL career. In the second over bowled by Jamie Overton, no boundary was scored as Babar looked to rotate strike. On the second ball of the third over, Babar fell into Wood's trap. The English pacer bowled a hard length and Babar played it towards Short who took a simple catch at short mid-wicket.
Babar was dismissed for nine runs from 10 balls. Wood, who dismissed the former Pakistan captain, was roped in by Shubman Gill-led Gujarat Titans (GT) for his base price of Rs 75 lakh at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini-auction. During the accelerated part of the auction, GT acquired the services of England’s left-arm pacer.
Other overseas picks of Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026 mini-auction
Apart from Wood, West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder (Rs 7 crore) and England's wicketkeeper-batter Tom Banton (Rs 2 crore) were GT's other two overseas picks. The IPL 2023 winners now have three English players in their squad, including veteran wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler.
Luke Wood’s brief IPL stint at Mumbai Indians as replacement player
30-year-old Wood is an experienced campaigner in franchise cricket. He made his IPL debut for five-time IPL-winning franchise Mumbai Indians (MI) in the 2024 edition. He joined MI as replacement of an injured Australia left-arm pacer Jason Behrendorff for Rs 50 lakh.
In his debut IPL season under Hardik Pandya's captaincy, he played just two games. Interestingly, he made his IPL debut against GT, his new IPL home, and went for 25 runs in two overs. He was expensive against Delhi Capitals (DC), going for 68 runs in his quota of four overs. His maiden IPL wicket is West Indies' current ODI and T20I captain Shai Hope.