Dropped in Disgrace: Babar Azam Quits BBL Mid-Tournament Amid Poor Form

Pakistani cricket star Babar Azam has had a nightmarish experience in the 15th season of the Big Bash League (BBL). Just before the knockout stages, Azam left the Sydney Sixers and returned to Pakistan, leaving his team to face crucial matches without their key foreign player.

Babar Departs BBL

The Sydney Sixers announced on social media that Babar Azam has been called back to Pakistan’s national camp for upcoming international fixtures and will no longer be available for the remainder of the BBL Finals series. The Sixers are set to face the Hobart Hurricanes in a high-stakes ‘Challenger’ match, with the winner advancing to take on the Perth Scorchers in the final.

Struggles with Form

Although officially described as a ‘national duty,’ the reality is that Babar’s bat remained silent throughout the tournament. Brought in with high expectations, he managed just 202 runs in 11 innings, with a concerning strike rate of 103—well below modern T20 standards.

Sharp Criticism from Mark Waugh

Australian legend Mark Waugh did not hold back in criticizing Babar’s performance, even suggesting he be dropped. During a broadcast, Waugh said:
“It’s time to take some tough decisions. The Sydney Sixers are relying entirely on Steve Smith. Babar Azam has not contributed enough at the top order. He may be a world-class player, but he hasn’t delivered what’s required to win this tournament.”

Lack of Partnership with Smith

Babar’s struggles were evident in his pairing with Steve Smith, who scored 220 runs in just four matches. Their lack of coordination was clear, with one incident showing Babar visibly frustrated when Smith refused to give him the strike and opted for a single instead.

The BBL 15 season will now proceed without one of its marquee international stars, leaving the Sydney Sixers to navigate the high-pressure knockout stage without Babar Azam.