Babar might be bringing views, but Gilchrist needs him to be ‘proactive’

For the Sydney Sixers, Babar Azam’s presence in the Big Bash League (BBL) brings more than just runs. In fact, even when the runs dry up, Babar can still be counted on to grab eyeballs. According to Sixers captain Moises Henriques, the following Babar brings, at times, feels larger than the franchise itself.

Babar has more fans than the Sixers

Speaking about the atmosphere during the Sixers’ away fixture against the Melbourne Renegades earlier this week, Henriques was in awe of Babar’s following.

“I guess the parade that comes around and follows him, we saw tonight when he got to his fifty, the crowd erupted even though it’s an away game,” Henriques said.

“They’ve got a whole section shut down at the SCG just for Babar fans. So I think he has more fans than the Sixers, but hopefully we’ll convert a few of them.”

Henriques also spoke at length about Babar’s demeanour within the dressing room, saying that the attention and fame surrounding him have not made him full of himself.

“He is actually really humble, a really nice guy to have around the team and around the group,” Henriques said. “Given what he has achieved in world cricket, there’s a whole lot of humility that he brings. He’s game-smart and just really nice to talk cricket with.”

The debate about the strike rate

But while Babar’s fame continues to surge, his performances this edition have opened up a familiar debate. The right-handed batter has scored two half-centuries in the BBL so far. However, both knocks have come at relatively placid strike rates, raising questions about his ability to fit into the shortest format.

Following the Sixers’ six-wicket win over the Renegades on Friday, Babar played the role of an anchor to the fullest. While chasing 165, the Pakistan batter scored an unbeaten 58 at a strike rate of 126. Although the innings was exactly what his team needed after the fall of two early wickets, former Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist suggested he could have benefited from being a tad more proactive.

“Babar is not known to have a power-packed game,” Gilchrist said on air. “He is not going to hoick across the line and slog one over the boundary for a six. He needs to be proactive. He can’t just think run a ball and put all the responsibility on his batting partner to get the job done.”

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