Babar Azam Advised to Refine T20 Skills in Australia’s Big Bash League
BBL an Opportunity for Babar Azam
Pakistan cricket star Babar Azam, now a Sydney Sixers recruit, has been advised to treat the Big Bash League (BBL 2025) as an “opportunity” to enhance two key areas of his batting. Pakistan coach Mike Hesson suggested that the Babar Azam T20 game requires improvement, particularly against spin and in elevating his strike rate, if he wants to return to international cricket.
Lack of T20I Appearances Raises Questions
Despite being Pakistan’s highest run-scorer in T20 internationals, Babar Azam has not played a T20I since December during the South Africa tour. He was also omitted from the squad for next month’s T20 Asia Cup in the UAE, signaling a shift in Pakistan’s T20 selection strategy.
Coach’s Message: Improve Strike Rate and Spin Play
Hesson highlighted that Babar Azam’s performance must evolve to reclaim his spot in the national team. “There’s no doubt Babar’s been asked to improve in some areas around taking on spin and in terms of his strike rate,” he stated. “The Big Bash League gives him the chance to prove those improvements. A player of his caliber is too good to be overlooked.”
Babar Azam’s T20 Record for Pakistan
Across 128 T20Is, Babar Azam has scored 4223 runs at a strike rate of 129.22, including 39 half-centuries—eight more than Muhammad Rizwan, his closest rival in Pakistan cricket. Despite being a prolific run-getter, his exclusion from the Asia Cup reflects Pakistan’s decision to reward players in form, such as Sahibzada Farhan, who recently earned three Player of the Match awards in six games.
Recent Form and Decline in Strike Rate
In 2023, Babar Azam’s T20 stats reached a career-best strike rate of 146.06, but his 2024 numbers slipped to 133.21 after heavy workloads. While the dip affected his standing, Hesson confirmed that management remains open to his return if he shows progress.
Babar Azam in Australia
The Babar Azam Australia record has been mixed—13 T20Is with 286 runs at a strike rate of just 114.85. However, he has enjoyed some success at the SCG, where he scored two half-centuries, including a crucial innings in the 2022 T20 World Cup semifinal. That performance remains a reminder of his potential to shine in Australian conditions.
Big Bash Debut with Sydney Sixers
The Babar Azam BBL journey begins when he makes his Big Bash debut for the Sydney Sixers in the season opener of BBL 2025 against the Perth Scorchers on December 14 at Optus Stadium. Cricket fans eagerly await whether he can translate his international pedigree into an impactful Babar Azam performance in Australia’s premier T20 tournament.