Babar Azam Departs Sixers Ahead of High Stakes BBL Final

Babar Azam will not take part in Friday’s Challenger final after Pakistan requested his immediate return ahead of the Pakistan vs Australia T20I series. The call removes an experienced opener from the Sixers lineup at the sharpest end of the tournament, with no replacement window left to soften the disruption.

The recall ends his Big Bash run, even if the Sixers move deeper into the finals. The news came quickly, landing as the squad prepared for a knockout match at the SCG.

Babar’s Message to Sixers Fans

In a statement, Babar Azam said he enjoyed his short stint with the Sixers but had to return for national duty.

“I really enjoyed my time here,” he said. “Unfortunately, I now have to leave the team and report for Pakistan.”

“I’m taking a lot back home with me. The fun, the positives, the environment,” he added. “The support at the SCG was special. Sixers fans were loud, encouraging, and always there. I loved playing in that atmosphere.”

Babar's BBL Performance Scrutiny

While Azam produced two half-centuries during his short Big Bash stay, the tempo never fully lifted. Babar's strike rate hovered well below the team’s standard, especially alongside the aggressive returns of Steve Smith and Daniel Hughes. Crowds still followed his every move, though, turning the Babaristan stand into one of the season’s defining visuals.

Sixers officials accepted the call-up without hesitation, aware that Azam’s value stretched beyond runs and strike rates. His presence pulled crowds, attention, and energy every time he walked out. His departure now clears a selection puzzle that had lingered quietly through the finals build up.

Debate Grows Over Sixers’ Batting 

Former Australia batter Mark Waugh had already questioned the structure of the Sixers’ top order, arguing for sharper momentum at the start. With Azam gone due to Pakistan’s T20 series commitments, that debate ends by circumstance rather than choice.

The Sixers now stand as the last Big Bash side to field a Pakistani player this season. With Babar gone, that storyline closes quietly. What remains is a reworked batting order and a finals campaign that seems sorted for the Sixers even without Babar.