Pakistan’s Babar Azam called back for T20 series against Australia, missing crucial Sixers match.
Pakistan cricket star Babar Azam has been recalled by his national team right before their T20 series against Australia, meaning he will miss the critical KFC BBL|15 Challenger final for the Sydney Sixers on Friday.
This means Babar will not participate in the remainder of the Sixers’ finals, should they defeat Hobart at the SCG, which would lead to a rematch with the Scorchers in the BBL Final this Sunday in Perth.
Pakistan has yet to reveal their squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup next month, but they will play three T20 internationals against Australia in Lahore starting next Friday, as a lead-up to the tournament.
In a heartfelt video message today, Babar expressed gratitude towards Sixers fans, coaches, and players for their encouragement during his stint with the team. He said, “I’ve really enjoyed my time at the club. Unfortunately, I now have to leave for national duty. I’ve taken back a lot of fun and positivity.”
Sixers general manager Rachael Haynes acknowledged Babar’s significant contributions to the team, understanding the importance of Pakistan’s preparations for their upcoming matches, including the World Cup. She noted the impressive fan engagement Babar brought, particularly highlighted by the “Babaristan” stand at the SCG during home matches this season.
Babar Azam is the leading scorer in men’s T20 internationals, recently surpassing India’s Rohit Sharma during a series against South Africa in November. However, his performance in the Big Bash has not mirrored his usual standards.
With Babar’s exit, the Sixers may face fewer selection challenges going into their match against the Hurricanes. Commentator Mark Waugh has suggested rethinking the batting lineup, emphasizing that the team is overly reliant on Steve Smith at the moment.
Veteran players like Daniel Hughes or Jordan Silk could step in as an opener to support the team better in light of Babar’s departure. Meanwhile, younger players like Lachy Shaw and Joel Davies are also receiving valuable experience, which they view as an exciting opportunity.
