With the BBL 2025-26 reaching its penultimate stage, the former champions, Sydney Sixers have been handed a massive setback as they will be without Babar Azam, who has left the camp to join the Pakistan team ahead of the T20I series against Australia. It is to be noted that Sydney Sixers will play Hobart Hurricanes in the Challenger in BBL 2025-26 after they were handed 48-run defeat against Perth Scorchers in the Qualifier.
However, they are scheduled to take on Hobart Hurricanes in the Challenger on Friday, January 23, Babar Azam will be missing the remaining BBL finals. The news was confirmed by Sydney Sixers on Thursday. “The Sydney Sixers have today been informed that Sixers opener Babar Azam is required to return to Pakistan to join his national teammates in camp, as preparations commence for upcoming international matches,” the statement from Sydney Sixers read.
“As a result, Babar will depart Australia immediately and will not be available for selection for the remainder of the BBL|15 Finals Series,” it further added. This comes despite Babar Azam confirming his availability for the entire BBL 15 season and as a result missed Pakistan’s three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka.
Babar Azam extends gratitude to BBL and Sydney Sixers
Babar Azam, who finishes the BBL 15 season having scored 202 runs from 11 games, averaging 22.44 and striking at the rate of 103.66, thanked fans and his teammates. Ending his stint, Babar Azam said, “First of all, thank you so much Sydney Sixers for having me, all the boys, all the coaches and I have very (sic) enjoyed my time. Unfortunately, I will now have to leave the team, to go to the national duty.”
“I have a lot of things I have to take back home- a lot of fun, a lot of positive things, so I have enjoyed it a lot. Especially, thank you to the Sydney Sixers fans there is always support there, lot of support, lot of encourage (sic), a lot of fun, so I have very enjoyed that vibe at Sydney Cricket Ground, so thank you so much,” the Pakistan batter concluded.
Sydney Sixers BBL 2025-26 updated squad:
Steven Smith, Josh Phillippe (wk), Moises Henriques (C), Lachlan Shaw, Jack Edwards, Joel Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Sean Abbott, Mitchell Starc, Ben Manenti, Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr.
