Babar Azam, the former Pakistan captain and one of the most prolific T20 batsmen in the world, has signed with Sydney Sixers for the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26 season. This marks his first appearance in the Australian T20 league, adding another feather to his illustrious career.

Babar, who has scored 4,223 runs in 128 T20 internationals, is just eight runs shy of surpassing Rohit Sharma as the all-time leading run-scorer in T20Is. His inclusion in the Sixers' squad is expected to bolster their batting lineup significantly.

Babar's T20 Journey

• Global Experience: Babar has played 320 T20 matches across various leagues worldwide.
• Recent Form: He was the top run-scorer for Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
• National Team: Despite his stellar performances, he was not selected for Pakistan's recent T20 series against Bangladesh.

Sydney Sixers' Strategy

• Season Performance: The Sixers finished second in the 2024-25 season but faced consecutive defeats in the playoffs.
• Overseas Signings: Each BBL franchise is allowed to contract one overseas player before the draft. The Sixers were the last men's team to secure their overseas player.

BBL Draft Highlights

• English Players: Jamie Overton, Chris Jordan, Tom Curran, and Sam Billings have already been contracted by other teams.
• New Entries: Sam Curran, Lauren Bell, and Pakistan trio Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shadab Khan are among the new names in the draft.

Women's Big Bash League (WBBL)

• English Players: Amy Jones, Alice Capsey, Dani Gibson, Heather Knight, Sophie Ecclestone, and Danni Wyatt-Hodge could be retained.
• Pre-signed Players: Laura Wolvaardt, Nadine de Klerk, Hayley Matthews, Marizanne Kapp, Sophie Devine, Amelia Kerr, and Chamari Athapaththu are among the pre-signed overseas players.

Babar expressed his excitement about joining the Sixers, stating, "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."

This signing not only enhances the Sixers' prospects but also adds a new dimension to the BBL, promising an exciting season ahead for cricket fans.