Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam is officially set to make his Big Bash League (BBL) debut after signing with the Sydney Sixers as their pre-draft overseas player for the 2025-26 season.
This marks the first time Babar will feature in the Australian T20 competition, despite having played franchise cricket across several countries for nearly a decade. With over 320 T20 matches to his name and a reputation for elegance and consistency at the crease, his arrival is a significant boost for both the Sixers and the league itself.
The franchise confirmed the signing ahead of the international player draft, using the BBL rule that allows each team to secure one overseas player before the draft. The Sixers were the last team to make such a move and have now locked in one of T20 cricket’s most recognizable names.
Babar Azam joins the Sixers for #BBL15
— Sydney Sixers (@SixersBBL) June 13, 2025
The King has arrived. 👑#welcomebabar #sixers pic.twitter.com/YQOsNnZ7Hi
Babar said:
“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. I’m looking forward to contributing to the team’s success, building a strong connection with the fans, and sharing this experience with my supporters in Pakistan.”
He added:
“I’m very proud to be joining the Sydney Sixers for the upcoming season. I’m very excited to share the dressing room with world-class players like Steve Smith and Josh Hazlewood.”
🗣️ 𝑰’𝒎 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒖𝒎𝒑𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒋𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒚𝒅𝒏𝒆𝒚 𝑺𝒊𝒙𝒆𝒓𝒔
— Sydney Sixers (@SixersBBL) June 13, 2025
We can’t wait to see @babarazam258 light up the SCG this Summer! 👑 #BBL15 #sixers pic.twitter.com/KdQ1aldFaw
The Sixers’ general manager Rachael Haynes welcomed the move, saying:
“He is a world-class player and a proven leader. He’s not only a huge addition to our club, but to the league as a whole.”
“The skill, professionalism, and experience he brings is of enormous value to our playing group. This is incredibly exciting news for our fans. Signing a player of Babar’s calibre only strengthens our goal to be a top global franchise.”
Babar has previously starred in leagues like the PSL, CPL, BPL, LPL, and England’s Vitality Blast, but had not played in the BBL until now. His signing comes at a time when he is not currently part of Pakistan’s T20I squad and has a relatively open schedule due to limited ODI fixtures, making him an ideal fit for a full BBL season commitment.
With Pakistan’s gap in the ICC Future Tours Programme during the Australian summer, Babar is expected to be available for the entire BBL 15 campaign, including finals. The Sixers, runners-up last season, are aiming to go one step further this time with the addition of one of the world’s most consistent T20 batters.
The signing has already caused a surge in fan interest, with the franchise reportedly gaining tens of thousands of new followers on social media following the announcement teaser.
As anticipation builds, fans in Australia and around the globe are eager to see Babar bring his elegant cover drives and calm demeanor to the BBL stage — and the Sydney Sixers will hope he can lead them to another title run.