Babar Azam to Make BBL Debut as Sixers Confirm Star Signing

In a big boost for the Sydney Sixers, the three-time BBL champions have signed Babar Azam for the 2025/26 season (BBL 15). The star batter joins as a pre-draft signing and will add serious strength to the Sixers’ batting lineup, which already features Steve Smith. If the schedule works out, fans might finally get to see Babar and Smith at the crease together a real treat!

“I’m very proud to be joining the Sydney Sixers for the upcoming season. It's an exciting opportunity to play in one of the world’s best T20 leagues and be part of a successful and respected team.” ” Babar said.

Pakistan icon and global superstar @babarazam258 will play his first Big Bash season in #BBL15 🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/hx1mYra5Mf

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) June 13, 2025

Babar Becomes Sixers First Overseas Signing Ahead of BBL Draft

With the BBL overseas draft scheduled for June 19, Babar Azam becomes the Sixers’ official international pre-signing a privilege allowed to each team under league rules. Before this, the Sixers were the only team yet to make such a signing. Now with Babar and Steve Smith in the mix, the Sixers have built a strong core that also includes Sean Abbott, Jack Edwards, Ben Dwarshuis, Joel Davies, Todd Murphy and Jordan Silk. Former Australia captain Rachael Haynes is now the Sixers' General Manager praised Babar’s addition to the squad.

With 320 T20 matches to his name, Babar Azam is well-experienced in franchise cricket. He recently captained Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League, scoring 288 runs in 10 innings. The 29-year-old has also featured in other major leagues like the CPL, BPL, LPL, and England’s Vitality Blast.

Babar is currently the second-highest run-scorer in T20I history with 4,223 runs just behind Rohit Sharma. While he's currently not part of Pakistan’s T20I squad, his BBL debut adds him to the growing list of Pakistani stars in the league this season, including Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, and Mohammad Rizwan, who are all part of the overseas draft.

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