It’s official now. Babar Azam is heading down under to the Big Bash League to join the Sydney Sixers, who have signed him as their pre-draft international pick ahead of the upcoming season. The Pakistani star batter will join Steve Smith in the squad, as the Sixers become the last BBL team to finalise their pre-draft overseas signings.
But the long wait doesn’t seem to have come at any cost for them. Babar brings along a mountain of runs, tons of experience, and a booming fanbase that follows the right-hander around.
“It’s an exciting opportunity to play in one of the world’s best T20 leagues and to be a part of such a successful and respected franchise,” Babar said following the announcement. “I’m looking forward to contributing to the team’s success, building a strong connection with the fans, and sharing this experience with my friends, family, and supporters at home in Pakistan.”
The Sixers now have an enviable core that includes Smith, Sean Abbott, Moises Henriques, Josh Philippe, and Todd Murphy. Add Babar’s name to that list, and they’ve got a top-order that knows how to take on the bowlers aptly.
The signing would definitely boost Babar as well, as his struggles in the shortest format have only been exacerbated. He was dropped from Pakistan’s T20I side earlier this year, and his Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise, Peshawar Zalmi, under his leadership, recently failed to make it to the playoffs for the first time in the league’s history.
But Babar’s dominance in the format is what makes him a blockbuster signing. He is currently the second-highest run scorer in T20Is, only eight runs behind Rohit Sharma at the top. The Sixers’ general manager, Rachael Haynes, made it clear that this isn’t just about getting a crowd-puller.
“Babar’s resume speaks for itself,” she said. “The skill, professionalism, and experience that he brings is of enormous value to our playing group and the news is obviously incredibly exciting for our fans.”
“He is a world-class player and a proven leader. He’s not only a huge addition to our club, but to the league as a whole. The Sixers strive to be a destination club on the global stage – from playing at the iconic SCG to delivering world-class match day experiences and signing the top talent from around the world – and securing a player of Babar’s calibre only further strengthens that vision.”
Besides Babar, other Pakistani players, including Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, and Mohammad Rizwan, are all likely to be a part of the league as well, with all of them in the overseas draft on June 19.
Babar Azam becomes the first Pakistan player to have signed ahead of the drafts in the BBL. His arrival will offer the league the chance to witness one of the most-watched batsmen in the world taking guard down under. And Pakistan fans will hope that he finds his groove back while he is at it.
After losing out on winning the final last season, Sydney Sixers will look to complete their run with glory this year, and their recent signings and retentions show they are determined to do just that.
