Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam faced strong criticism after failing to meet expectations in his Big Bash League (BBL) 2025–26 debut.
Representing the Sydney Sixers, Babar made his first-ever appearance in the BBL, but his performance in a rain-affected match proved disappointing.
In the shortened 11-over match against Perth Scorchers at Perth Stadium, Babar was dismissed for 2 runs off 5 balls.
He was removed by fast bowler Brodie Couch. Early in the innings, Babar was given a reprieve when a mistimed shot in the opening over landed safely between mid-on and mid-wicket, but he failed to capitalize on the opportunity.
After facing four deliveries, Babar opened his account with two runs through the infield. However, on the fifth ball of the third over, he attempted to play a hard-length delivery over mid-on. The shot resulted in a leading edge, and the ball ballooned into the air before being caught by Laurie Evans.
At the time of Babar’s dismissal, Sydney Sixers were struggling at 15 for 2 in 2.5 overs, with opener Daniel Hughes already back in the pavilion.
Moments after Babar’s wicket, the official Big Bash League social media account shared a video of his first-ball dot delivery, further fueling discussion among fans.
Despite this early setback, the presence of Pakistani players in the BBL continues to generate strong interest. Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Haris Rauf are yet to make their tournament debuts, and their participation is expected to add further excitement to the competition.
