Pakistan’s star batsman Babar Azam is set to join Sydney Sixers, where he will team up with Steven Smith.
After playing over 300 T20 matches, Babar Azam will finally make his Big Bash League debut. The Pakistani star has been signed by Sydney Sixers, where he’ll have the chance to play alongside Steven Smith.
According to Big Bash rules, each team can sign one overseas player before the draft. Sydney Sixers used that opportunity to bring Babar on board.
Besides Babar and Smith, the Sixers squad also includes Shaun Abbott, Joel Davis, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Moises Henriques, Todd Murphy, Mitch Perry, Josh Philippe, and Jordan Silk.
In a statement on Friday, the 30-year-old Babar expressed his excitement:
“Playing in one of the world’s top T20 leagues and being part of such a successful franchise is an incredible opportunity. I’m eager to contribute to the team’s success, build a strong connection with the fans, and share this experience with my friends, family, and supporters back home in Pakistan.”
Other Pakistani players like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, and Mohammad Rizwan are also preparing for the upcoming Big Bash, though they will be part of the foreign player draft on June 19.
Babar, former captain of Pakistan, has so far played 320 T20 matches, scoring 11,330 runs at a strike rate of 129.33. He has 11 centuries and 93 half-centuries to his name.
Recently, he led Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Although his team finished fifth out of six, Babar was their highest scorer with 288 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 128.57.
Despite his vast experience, Babar lost his place in Pakistan’s T20 side earlier this year. He has played in numerous T20 leagues worldwide, including CPL, BPL, LPL, and England’s Vitality Blast.
Sydney Sixers’ General Manager Rachel Heynes is thrilled to have a player of Babar’s caliber:
“Babar’s career speaks for itself. His skills, professionalism, and experience are invaluable to our team, and this news will surely excite our fans. He’s a world-class player and a proven leader. He’s a major addition not just for our team but for the entire league.”
