Babar Azam’s much-anticipated debut in the Big Bash League (BBL) ended in disappointment as he fell for a mere two runs in the rain-shortened opener between the Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers at Perth Stadium on December 14, 2025. High expectations surrounded the Pakistani batter after his signing by the Sydney Sixers for the 2025–26 season, but he struggled to make an impact in his initial outing.
Facing fast bowler Brody Couch, Babar’s innings concluded on the penultimate delivery of the third over. After surviving a close moment in his first over when a ball fell between two fielders, he managed only a couple of runs off four balls before his attempt to drive a hard-length delivery led to an easy catch by Laurie Evans. With the Sixers losing Daniel Hughes early, they found themselves in a precarious position at 15 for 2 in just 2.5 overs.
The BBL’s social media team added to the chatter by sharing a playful tweet about Babar’s first ball being a dot ball, which some fans interpreted as a lighthearted jab. Following his dismissal, online reactions poured in with comments that ranged from humorous to critical, with phrases like “Babar Azam hall of shame in BBL” surfacing in the discussions.
Despite the setback, Babar Azam is not the only Pakistani talent participating in the BBL. His compatriots Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan, and Hasan Ali are also scheduled to compete. Notably, Rizwan and Afridi are set to face off on the following day when the Melbourne Renegades take on the Brisbane Heat at the Simonds Stadium in Geelong.
While Babar’s debut did not go as planned, there remains optimism for his performance in the future. With several matches to follow in the tournament, fans will be eager to see how he and his teammates rebound and make their mark in the BBL.