Sydney, Australia – Pakistan captain Babar Azam concluded his debut Big Bash League (BBL) season with the Sydney Sixers, setting an unwanted record as the batter with the lowest strike rate in BBL history among players who scored 200 or more runs in a single campaign.
BBL 15 Performance Overview
Babar scored 202 runs in 11 matches, facing 196 balls, with a highest score of 58 not out. Despite registering two half-centuries, his overall strike rate of 103.06 drew criticism throughout the tournament.
According to official BBL statistics, there have been 350 instances of players scoring at least 200 runs in a season. Among them, Babar now holds the lowest strike rate, slightly below Nathan McSweeney (105.21) and Jonathan Wells (106.04).
| Player | Team | Matches | Runs | HS | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babar Azam | Sydney Sixers | 11 | 202 | 58* | 103.06 |
| Nathan McSweeney | Brisbane Heat | 9 | 222 | 73 | 105.21 |
| Jonathan Wells | Adelaide Strikers | 13 | 263 | 66 | 106.04 |
Early Promise but Inconsistent Output
Babar began his BBL campaign on a positive note with fifties against Sydney Thunder in December and Melbourne Renegades on New Year’s Day. However, inconsistent performances followed, including six single-digit dismissals and only three sixes throughout the season.
Questions about Babar’s strike rate and tempo have persisted, especially after his omission from Pakistan’s T20 setup last year over concerns about scoring speed in power-hitting formats.
Criticism and Expert Commentary
Former Australia batsman Mark Waugh suggested Sydney Sixers might consider dropping Babar Azam for critical matches in the finals, advocating for a more aggressive top-order presence. Despite the scrutiny, Babar will not participate in the remainder of the BBL as he returns to Pakistan for international duties.
T20 International Series
Pakistan will host Australia in a three-match T20 series starting January 29, 2026. Babar Azam is widely expected to feature in the squad as Pakistan builds momentum ahead of the T20 World Cup.
