Babar's fifty helps Sydney keep Renegades at bay on a tricky surface

A classic Babar Azam fifty saved the Sydney Sixers from sliding down the table, as well as breaking their winning streak against the Melbourne Renegades. The Sixers, who haven’t lost any Big Bash League (BBL) game to the Renegades since 2019, were 66 for 2 in 8.5 overs while chasing 165 on a slow and tricky surface at the Marvel Stadium.

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Big Bash League 2025-26 Dec 14 to Jan 25

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January 1, 2026 1:15 pm Result

Perth Scorchers won by 40 runs

Hobart Hurricanes

189/9 (20)

Perth Scorchers

229/3 (20)

January 1, 2026 10:00 am Result

Sydney Sixers won by 6 wkts

Melbourne Renegades

164/9 (20)

Sydney Sixers

168/4 (19.1)

However, Babar’s slow but steady 58-run knock, with four fours and one maximum, paired with cameos from captain Moises Henriques and Joel Davies, turned the tables in the Sixers’ favour. This was the Pakistan batter’s second fifty in three games, and even though the strike rate of 126 does not look too enticing, Sydney would be glad with his contributions so far.

Marvel Stadium is not a batting haven

It merits mention here that the pitch at Marvel Stadium is notorious for challenging batters with its sluggish surface, and so was evident in the game between Melbourne and Sydney. That Babar’s 58 off 46 was the highest individual score across both teams, pretty much sums up how the turf behaved.

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Babar Azam Batter

Babar Azam is a 31-year-old Pakistani cricketer who was born on October 15, 1994.

Naturally, Babar took the safest route home. He orchestrated an innings that was as close to his natural, anchoring game as can be. In addition, quick innings from Daniel Hughes, Josh Phillipe, and Henriques helped take pressure off while Babar held one end. Finally, a lofted cover drive off Babar’s bat sealed the win for Sydney.

"It was a pretty tough wicket there (for batting)," Sean Abbott, who was adjudged the Man of the Match for his 3-wicket haul, told Fox Cricket. "Babar had to go through a few different stages in that innings, but once we got up and going with a couple of partnerships, it looked like he did it in first gear."

Not a good day for Rizwan

While Babar was able to top the charts, his compatriot Mohammad Rizwan had yet another off-colour, scoring 6 off 10 balls before an inside edge landed on to his stumps.

This was the Sydney Sixers’ first away win this season, having lost the other in Perth against the Perth Scorchers.
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