Babar Azam Leaves BBL Ahead of Finals as National Duty Calls
Babar concludes his debut BBL season with 202 runs in 11 matches
SYDENY: (Web Desk) -Just as the Sydney Sixers were preparing for a high-stakes Big Bash League (BBL) finals run, fans were dealt a surprise as star opener Babar Azam was called back to Pakistan, ruling him out of the remainder of the tournament.
The decision came barely 24 hours before the Sixers’ Challenger final against the Hobart Hurricanes at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Babar, who was initially available for the entire BBL season and had skipped Pakistan’s recent T20I series against Sri Lanka, has been recalled to join the national team camp ahead of Pakistan’s three-match T20I series against Australia starting January 29.
In a statement, the Sydney Sixers confirmed that Babar would depart Australia immediately to link up with his national teammates. “He will not be available for selection for the remainder of the BBL Finals Series,” the club said.
Read More: Smith’s Blitz, Babar’s Anchor: Strike-Rate Debate Reignites in Sixers vs Thunder Clash
Sixers General Manager Rachael Haynes said the franchise had planned for Babar to play the full tournament, adding that while he was a highly valued member of the squad, national duty understandably took priority.
Babar’s BBL stint also saw minor on-field drama, with captain Moises Henriques revealing that the Pakistan batter was briefly upset after being denied a single by Steven Smith during a match against Sydney Thunder. Henriques clarified that the issue stemmed from a cultural misunderstanding and was quickly resolved.
Babar concludes his debut BBL season with 202 runs in 11 matches, averaging 22.44 at a strike rate of 103.06, including two half-centuries.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.