Pakistan’s cricket sensation Babar Azam endured a challenging start to his Big Bash League (BBL) career, managing only 2 runs off 5 balls in the Sydney Sixers’ opening match against the Perth Scorchers at Optus Stadium on Sunday. The highly anticipated debut, which drew massive fan attention, ended far below expectations for one of modern cricket’s finest batters.
Early Setback for Sixers’ Opener
Babar, opening for the Sixers, faced an immediate test after losing his partner Daniel Hughes on the second delivery of the innings. Cooper Connolly provided the early breakthrough for the Scorchers, putting pressure on the Pakistan star from the start. Babar eventually got the strike at the last delivery of the first over, where he sensibly blocked an angling delivery from Connolly, showing patience but struggling to find rhythm.
Struggles Against Scorchers’ Bowlers
In the next over, Babar faced Joel Paris and found it difficult to accelerate, defending a length delivery before surviving a near-miss from a hard-length ball. The star batter could not capitalize on the slight opportunity when the ball floated between mid-wicket and mid-on. His timing and footwork looked hesitant, as he failed to settle into the innings despite being one of the most technically sound batsmen in international cricket.
Babar finally opened his account on the fourth delivery of his BBL career, awkwardly lofting a length ball between extra cover and sweeper cover for two runs. However, his innings was cut short when Brody Couch delivered a challenging hard-length ball. Babar misjudged the shot, sending the ball to mid-on, where Laurie Evans took a straightforward catch to end the innings.
Sixers’ Star Signing Fails to Shine
The 31-year-old’s modest start comes despite being one of the marquee signings for the 15th edition of the BBL. Sydney Sixers had heavily promoted Babar’s arrival, launching a fan zone titled “Babaristan” in October to celebrate his maiden BBL stint. He was also given a unique three-digit jersey number, 056, to highlight his presence and attract fan engagement.
Despite the poor start, Babar Azam remains one of the most respected and accomplished batters in world cricket. While his BBL debut was underwhelming, fans will be hoping the Pakistan star can find form in the upcoming matches and live up to the hype surrounding his participation in the league.
