Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam has signed a major contract with the Sydney Sixers, becoming one of the highest-paid players in Big Bash League (BBL) history ahead of the tournament’s 15th edition.
The Sixers confirmed the marquee signing on Friday, exercising the league’s pre-draft signing rule, which allows each franchise to directly acquire one overseas player before the official draft. According to sources, Babar’s deal exceeds the BBL Platinum category’s base value of approximately PKR 7.75 crore, with his final compensation reported to be close to PKR 10 crore.
This will be Babar’s debut in Australia’s premier T20 competition and is already being described as one of the most high-profile acquisitions in the BBL to date. At 30, the world-renowned top-order batter joins a formidable Sixers squad aiming to end their two-year title drought.
A Global Star Joins the BBL
Babar brings with him a wealth of experience, having amassed over 10,000 international runs across formats and more than 11,000 runs in T20 cricket alone. He has previously starred in leagues including the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Caribbean Premier League (CPL), and England’s T20 circuit.
“Babar Azam adds a level of class and composure to our batting lineup. He’s a proven performer at the highest level, and we’re thrilled to welcome him to Sydney,” said a Sixers team official.
Finch Hails Babar as “Player of the Decade”
Former Australian captain Aaron Finch praised the Sixers’ move, calling Babar “arguably the greatest player of this decade.”
“There’s no bigger name than Babar Azam when it comes to Pakistani players in the BBL. His consistency across all conditions is unmatched. It’s fantastic that Australian fans will finally get to see him live,” Finch said.
He also applauded left-arm speedster Shaheen Shah Afridi, who remains in the BBL draft pool, calling him a “match-winner” any team would want.
Sixers Aim for Title With Strengthened Squad
Under BBL rules, each team may sign one international player before the draft on June 19. The Sixers used this option to bypass the draft uncertainty and secure Babar directly from the Platinum category.
Babar will line up alongside stars like Steve Smith, Moises Henriques, Josh Philippe, and Sean Abbott. His signing is expected to boost both on-field performance and off-field fan engagement, especially among South Asian audiences.
Sydney Sixers Squad for BBL 15 (so far):
- Babar Azam
- Steve Smith
- Moises Henriques
- Josh Philippe
- Sean Abbott
- Jordan Silk
- Ben Dwarshuis
- Todd Murphy
- Joel Davies
- Jack Edwards
- Mitch Perry
The Sixers, three-time BBL champions, are positioning themselves as strong contenders for the 2025 title — and the addition of Babar Azam could prove to be the difference-maker.
