The 2025–26 Big Bash League (BBL 15) has been a rough ride for Pakistan’s high-profile stars, with Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan drawing criticism for their slow scoring rates in a tournament built around rapid-fire batting.
Mohammad Rizwan’s campaign, in particular, has come under the spotlight after a difficult outing for the Melbourne Renegades. The low-point came against the Sydney Thunder, where he managed 26 off 23 balls in a chase that promoted the Renegades captain Will Sutherland to ask Rizwan to retire out mid-innings.
Across the season, Rizwan has struggled to find rhythm and impact. In 10 innings, he has scored 187 runs at a strike rate of just over 102.74, with multiple knocks seen as too cautious for the pace of the BBL.
Babar’s season for the Sydney Sixers has followed a similar narrative. While his overall returns look better, his scoring speed has been questioned. He has been criticized for operating at a strike rate of 104.12, placing him among the slowest batters this season among players who have faced more than 120 balls.
One of the most talked-about moments involving Babar Azam came during a Sixers game against the Thunder when Steve Smith declined an easy single during the Power Surge, leaving Babar stuck on 47.
Babar appeared visibly frustrated, and Smith then launched a brutal counterattack, before Babar was eventually dismissed for 47 off 39 balls, reigniting discussion around his tempo in high-scoring phases.
| Player | Team | Matches | Strike Rate | Average | Runs | Balls Faced |
| Chris Lynn | Adelaide Strikers | 10 | 134.84 | 22.25 | 178 | 132 |
| Marcus Stoinis | Melbourne Stars | 10 | 134.69 | 66.00 | 264 | 196 |
| Hassan Khan | Melbourne Renegades | 10 | 133.07 | 19.22 | 173 | 130 |
| Matt Short | Adelaide Strikers | 10 | 132.7 | 28.00 | 280 | 211 |
| Ben McDermott | Hobart Hurricanes | 10 | 131.7 | 33.75 | 270 | 205 |
| Sam Billings | Sydney Thunder | 10 | 130.76 | 20.40 | 204 | 156 |
| Campbell Kellaway | Melbourne Stars | 10 | 122.85 | 21.50 | 172 | 140 |
| Moises Henrique | Sydney Sixers | 10 | 114.75 | 15.55 | 140 | 122 |
| Babar Azam | Sydney Sixers | 10 | 104.12 | 25.25 | 202 | 194 |
| Mohammad Rizwan | Melbourne Renegades | 10 | 102.74 | 18.70 | 187 | 182 |
Note: This stats table is based only on players who faced at least 120 balls in the tournament and played in all 10 innings.
With the tournament nearing its business end, Mohammad Rizwan and the Renegades’ campaign is over. The spotlight remains on Babar Azam, as fans hope he can shift gears and deliver match-winning impact for the Sydney Sixers in the playoffs.