In a major coup, three-time Big Bash League (BBL) champions Sydney Sixers have signed Babar Azam for the 2025/2026 season, that is, BBL 15. As a pre-draft signing, Babar will bolster the batting of the Sixers, who already have Steve Smith by their side. If fixtures allow, Smith regularly features for the Sixers, and we could finally see Babar and Smith bat together!
“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 in a Sixers release. “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.”
Major signing for Sydney Sixers
With the BBL overseas draft set for June 19, Babar becomes the Sixers’ designated international pre-signing — a right each team is allowed under league rules. Until this move, the Sixers were the only franchise yet to bring in a pre-signed overseas player.
Alongside Babar and Smith, the Sixers now have a robust core group featuring Sean Abbott, Jack Edwards, Ben Dwarshuis, Joel Davies, Todd Murphy and Jordan Silk. Former Australia captain Rachael Haynes, now the Sixers GM, hailed Babar’s inclusion:
“Babar’s resume speaks for itself. TheThe 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.”
With 320 T20 matches under his belt, Babar is no stranger to franchise cricket. He most recently led Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League, where he scored 288 runs from 10 innings. The 29-year-old has also played in the CPL, BPL, LPL, and Vitality Blast.
Babar is also the second-highest run-scorer in T20I history (4223), just behind Rohit Sharma. While currently out of Pakistan’s T20I setup, his BBL entry follows that of other Pakistani stars like Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Rizwan, all draft nominees this season.
