Pakistan’s star batter, Babar Azam, will not feature for Sydney Sixers in tomorrow’s BBL match, as he has been recalled to join the national camp ahead of upcoming T20I series against Australia.
The development effectively ends Babar’s stint in the ongoing 2025/26 Big Bash League (BBL 15), with the batter set to miss the remainder of the tournament’s finals phase.
Sydney Sixers confirmed the update through an official statement on social media, thanking Babar for his time with the franchise and noting that he has been called back for national duty, making him unavailable for the rest of the season.
In his farewell message, Babar thanked the Sixers management, coaching staff, and teammates, saying he enjoyed his experience in Australia but had to depart due to Pakistan commitments. He also praised the Sixers supporters, highlighting the atmosphere at the Sydney Cricket Ground and the backing he received throughout the season.
Babar’s first Big Bash campaign came with flashes of quality but also heavy scrutiny, particularly over his scoring tempo. He finished with 202 runs in 11 matches, including two half-centuries. However, his run-rate remained a talking point, with a strike rate of 103.06 and an average reported around the low-to-mid 20s during his stint.
Babar’s recall comes as Pakistan prepare to host Australia for a three-match T20I series in Lahore, which will act as a key build-up to the T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. The series is scheduled to begin on January 29, with the next games on January 31 and February 1.
Pakistan have yet to announce the official squad, but Babar Azam is widely expected to be part of the plans, with reports indicating he is also included in Pakistan’s initial pool submitted for the upcoming World Cup.
