Babar Azam, who has been on the receiving end of social media trolling for his lean season with the bat for Sydney Sixers in BBL 15, has been called back immediately by his country's cricket board.
Explainers
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News1822-01-2026, 16:18

Babar Azam's 'Strange' BBL Exit Leaves Pakistan Fans Red-Faced

  • Babar Azam was recalled by the Pakistan Cricket Board for national duty ahead of a series against Australia, forcing his exit from the Big Bash League.
  • His departure came just before the Sydney Sixers' Challenger final, leaving fans and the team surprised.
  • Azam had a challenging BBL season, scoring 202 runs in 11 innings with a strike rate of 103, the lowest for any batter with 200+ runs in a season.
  • Former Australian cricketer Mark Waugh suggested the Sixers needed to show "tough love" to Azam, implying he should be dropped due to inconsistency.
  • Pakistan fans expressed embarrassment, believing Azam was effectively "dropped" by the franchise, with the PCB intervening to save face.

Why It Matters: Babar Azam's BBL exit for national duty sparked controversy and embarrassment among fans due to his poor form.

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