Tag: Babar Azam

Steve Smith and Babar Azam produced a batting masterclass to guide the Sydney Sixers to a commanding victory over the Sydney Thunder in a high-octane Big Bash League (BBL) 15 encounter at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday.

The emphatic win lifted the Sixers to fourth place on the BBL 15 points table, putting them firmly on course for a playoff berth.

They will now face fifth-placed Brisbane Heat in their final group-stage fixture on Sunday, with the result set to determine the last team to qualify for the playoffs.

Chasing a challenging target of 190, the Sixers got off to a flying start as Smith and Babar combined aggression with composure in a dominant opening partnership.

Smith took on the role of chief aggressor, while Babar provided stability, as the duo stitched together a 141-run stand in just 74 balls.

The partnership finally ended when Nathan McAndrew dismissed Babar, who scored a fluent 47 off 39 deliveries, including seven boundaries.

Smith continued his onslaught, racing to a blistering century off just 41 balls, peppering the boundary with nine sixes and five fours.

His innings came to an end immediately after reaching the landmark, as he was stumped off Tanveer Sangha, but not before putting the Sixers firmly in control of the chase.

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Despite losing a few quick wickets, the Sixers crossed the line comfortably with 16 balls to spare.

Jack Edwards remained unbeaten on 17 off eight balls, smashing two sixes, while Lachlan Shaw chipped in with a brisk 13 off seven to seal the win.

Earlier, Sixers skipper won the toss and opted to field, a decision that initially appeared costly as Thunder captain David Warner launched a fierce counterattack.

Warner added 56 runs for the opening stand with Matthew Gilkes, who scored 12 off 12, before Mitchell Starc broke the partnership in his first BBL appearance since the league’s fourth season.

Warner continued his assault and found solid support in Nic Maddinson, with the pair adding 84 runs in 47 balls.

Maddinson struck 26 off 16 before falling on the first ball of the final over, while Warner was left stranded at the non-striker’s end as Thunder finished on 189 for six.

The Thunder skipper remained unbeaten on a superb 110 off 65 balls, featuring 11 fours and four sixes.

For the Sixers, Sam Curran led the bowling effort with three wickets, while Starc, Edwards and Ben Manenti picked up one wicket apiece.

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MELBOURNE: Melbourne Stars skipper Marcus Stoinis did not mince words before trapping Sydney Sixers opener Babar Azam in the 27th match of the Big Bash League (BBL) 15 here at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Thursday.

Sixers chased down a partly target of 129, losing four wickets in the process with 17 balls to spare.

Josh Philippe remained the top scorer with 35 from 25 balls, striking two fours and the same number of sixes.

For Melbourne Stars, Haris Rauf picked up one wicket, whereas Stoinis scalped two wickets in his quota of four overs.

However, their star overseas batter Babar faltered again as he managed to score 14 off 17 balls with the help of a single boundary.

 

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Interestingly, he was trapped lbw by pacer Marcus Stoinis on the third ball of the sixth over.

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The right-arm pacer bowled a full and straight delivery on the stumps as Babar closed the face of the bat early and missed the line and length.

Following the conclusion of the match, Stoinis revealed his words to Babar Azam before getting him trapped on the crease.

“It’s good to know those stump mics are on,” Stoinis said in a light-hearted manner after the match.

Nonetheless, Babar’s struggle continued in BBL 15, as he is yet to make his mark.

The right-hander has so far scored 145 runs in seven matches at an average of 24.16 with the help of two half-centuries.

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Fresh off a dominant 4-1 Ashes triumph over England, Australian stars Mitchell Starc and Steve Smith are set to shift their focus to the Big Bash League (BBL), where they will join Pakistan superstar Babar Azam at the Sydney Sixers.

Both Starc and Smith confirmed their availability for the Sixers during Australia’s post-match press conference following the fifth Ashes Test, with several other Ashes-winning players also expected to feature in the ongoing Big Bash season.

For Starc, the return carries added significance as it will mark his first appearance for the Sixers since BBL 04, having featured in overall ten matches across four seasons.

Smith, meanwhile, is set to feature in his fourth consecutive Big Bash campaign, having delivered memorable performances in recent seasons, including an unbeaten 121 against the Perth Scorchers last year.

Starc capped off a sensational Ashes series by claiming the Compton-Miller Medal as Player of the Series, courtesy of 31 wickets and a vital 156 runs across five Tests.

Speaking after the series, the left-arm quick made it clear that the Big Bash is now his immediate priority.

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“I’m certainly not looking two years down the road just yet,” Mitchell Starc said when asked about the 2027 Ashes in England.

“I’ll pull on the magenta with the man [Smith] next to me. We’ll see if we can help the Sixers get to another final. Other than the BBL, I haven’t got too many plans other than a bit of golf.”

Starc, who retired from T20Is in October to manage his workload and extend his Test career, could make his Sixers return as early as Sunday, January 11, when Sydney face the Hobart Hurricanes at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

The timing of their arrival could prove crucial for the Sixers, who currently sit fourth on the BBL 15 points table with three wins and three losses.

Despite securing the services of global star Babar Azam, the Sixers are yet to fully hit top gear this season.

They most recently edged past Brisbane Heat in a low-scoring thriller at Coffs Harbour, chasing down just 115 to stay in the top-four hunt.

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COFFS HARBOUR: Babar Azam failed to make his mark again as Joel Davies and Hayden Kerr’s crucial partnership helped Sydney Sixers edge past Brisbane Heat by three wickets in the 24th fixture of the Big Bash League (BBL) 15.

Set only 115 here at the International Sports Stadium in a low-scoring encounter, Sixers stumbled in the chase before they got over the line on the fourth ball of the 18th over.

Oli Patterson inflicted a poor start on the Sixers with back-to-back wickets in the third over. Babar was the first to go for two while Josh Philippe † followed him after for a duck, leaving the side 15-2.

After early blows, skipper Moises Henriques and Daniel Hughes tried to steady the innings with a brief 17-run partnership. However, Xavier Bartlett removed Daniel Hughes for 15 to put Heat in command.

Brisbane Heat continued to mount pressure with clinical bowling, which reaped high rewards in the form of Jordan Silk (6) and Jack Edwards (0) wickets, both getting dismissed in the same over.

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The Sixers were further in dire straits as Henriques and Ben Manenti were also sent back to the pavilion. As a result, Sydney Sixers were 56-7 in 10.3 overs.

With Brisbane Heat in a dominant position, Joel Davies and Hayden Kerr batted with responsibility, stitching an unbeaten 62* run partnership that propelled them to victory.

Davies hit three fours and a six on his way to 35 from 26, whereas Kerr struck a six and a four in his 27* from 25 balls.

For Brisbane Heat, Oli Patterson and Matthew Kuhnemann shared four wickets each. Xavier Bartlett, Jack Wildermuth, and Matt Renshaw picked up one each.

Earlier, put into bat first, Sydney Sixers bowlers demonstrated an excellent bowling display, limiting the opposition to 114-9 at the end of their 20 overs.

Jack Wildermuth and Lachlan Hearne provided a brisk start of 27 runs in three overs before Sean Abbott and Jack Edwards combined to send back both batters in successive overs.

Wildermuth was looking dangerous with 31 off 17, striking two fours and two sixes. Hearne could only add one to the total.

With Heat 33-2 in four overs, with inform Matt Renshaw and Max Bryant at the helm. But Sixers bowlers did not allow them to free their hands.

The former and latter were sent packing in the span of two overs for two and three runs respectively.

Nonetheless, Hugh Weibgen top-scored with 24 from 25 balls with the help of a boundary that took the Heat’s score over the 100-run mark.

Eventually, the whole team was limited to a below-par score at the end of their innings.

Matthew Kuhnemann and Oli Patterson were the notable contributors with the ball as they took two wickets each.

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SYDNEY: Big Bash League (BBL) team Sydney Sixers captain Moises Henriques has lavished high praise on ace batter Babar Azam, calling him a ‘humble and game-smart’ presence to have around. 

Speaking during an interview, Henriques talked about Babar Azam’s inclusion in the Sixers squad for BBL 15 and praised him for bringing calm demeanor.

“It’s been a really cool experience because he is actually like really sort of a humble, really nice guy to have around the team and around the group,” Henriques said in an interview.

“I know a lot of people say that about people when they come in, but you know, given what he has achieved in world cricket, there’s a whole lot of humility that he brings. Obviously game smart and just really nice to talk cricket with,” he added.

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The all-rounder also talked about his influence, noting that the crowd comes alive with his presence on the field

“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 stated.

“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,” he concluded.

For the unversed, BBL 15 is Babar Azam’s inaugural appearance in the tournament. The right handed batter so far scored 129 runs in five matches, with two fifties to his name.

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Australia pacer Sean Abbott has admitted his frustration at bowling to Babar Azam, calling the Pakistan star batter extremely hard to contain once he gets going.

Babar Azam is playing alongside Sean Abbott for Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League (BBL) 15.

Speaking during a chat with fellow players, Abbott admitted that bowling to Babar Azam is a challenging task due to his skill and temperament.

“Babar hits you where Babar wants to, and I’m sick of bowling at him,” Abbott said.

“Whether it’s domestic cricket or international cricket, I don’t think I’ve ever got him out, and it feels a bit like a death by a thousand cuts sometimes because you look up the scoreboard and he is striking at 120 and you don’t feel like you are nowhere near getting him out,” he added.

He also praised Babar’s contributions to the Sixers, calling him a vital cog and a perfect fit for the team.

“So, a real asset to have, and he has been a hell of a fit for us so far. Really blessed that Babar [is] in the Sixers.”

Abbott described facing him as frustrating, saying it often feels like “death by a thousand cuts” as Babar maintains a high strike rate while rarely giving a chance for dismissal.

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Earlier today, Babar Azam and Sean Abbott combined to lead Sydney Sixers to a six-wicket victory over the Melbourne Renegades in BBL 15.

Babar finished on 58 not out from 46 balls, striking four fours and a six, while  Abbott was the pick of the Sixers’ bowlers with three wickets to his name.

Overall, Babar has scored 129 runs in five matches so far with the help of two half-centuries.

On the other hand, Sean Abbott is BBL’s all-time highest wicket-taker with 179 scalps in 126 matches.

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MELBOURNE: Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam etched his name alongside former England captain Jos Buttler in the record books after producing a decisive knock during the Big Bash League (BBL) 15 encounter at Docklands Stadium on Thursday.

Representing Sydney Sixers against Melbourne Renegades, Babar anchored the chase with a composed unbeaten 58 off 46 deliveries, an innings laced with four boundaries and a six.

The knock not only guided the Sixers to a six-wicket win but also marked Babar’s 97th half-century in T20 cricket.

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With that effort, the former Pakistan skipper drew level with Buttler for the joint third-most fifties in the history of the shortest format.

Notably, Babar reached the milestone in just his 333rd T20 appearance, scoring 11 centuries along the way, while Buttler took 476 matches to get the same tally, with eight hundreds.

The all-time record for most T20 half-centuries remains with Australian great David Warner, who has amassed 113 fifties, followed by India’s Virat Kohli with 105.

Most T20 fifties:

• David Warner – 113
• Virat Kohli – 105
• Babar Azam – 97
• Jos Buttler – 97
• Alex Hales – 92

Babar’s latest innings also took his overall tally of 50-plus scores in T20 cricket to 108, comprising 97 half-centuries and 11 hundreds.

He is currently fourth on the all-time list for most 50+ scores in the format, behind Warner (121), Kohli (114) and Chris Gayle (110).

Babar’s knock proved the difference as Sydney Sixers sealed their second win of the BBL 15 campaign, climbing to fifth on the points table.

Melbourne Renegades, meanwhile, remain seventh with just one victory, sitting above only Sydney Thunder.

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MELBOURNE: Pakistan star Babar Azam produced a composed unbeaten half-century to lead Sydney Sixers to a six-wicket victory over Melbourne Renegades in a Big Bash League (BBL) season 15 encounter at Docklands Stadium on Thursday.

In a much-anticipated Babar Azam versus Mohammad Rizwan contest, the Sixers opted to field first after winning the toss.

Renegades lost early momentum when Jack Edwards dismissed Tim Seifert for eight, leaving the hosts 10 for 1 inside the first two overs.

Rizwan then partnered with Josh Brown in a brief counter-attack, though the second-wicket stand was largely driven by Brown’s aggressive approach.

The right-hander smashed 43 off just 19 balls, including three fours and four sixes, before Hayden Kerr broke the 44-run partnership. Rizwan struggled for fluency and was dismissed soon after, scoring six from ten deliveries.

Jake Fraser-McGurk steadied the innings with a 29-ball 38, featuring four boundaries, before falling to Sean Abbott after pushing the Renegades past the 100-run mark.

Hassan Khan provided late resistance with a quick 39, hitting three sixes and a four, but his dismissal in the final over curtailed the Renegades’ momentum as they finished on 164 for 9.

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Abbott was the pick of the Sixers’ bowlers with three wickets, while Edwards, Ben Dwarshuis and Kerr claimed two apiece.

In reply, the Sixers made a solid start through Daniel Hughes and Babar, adding 46 for the opening wicket.

Gurinder Sandhu removed Hughes for 30 off 23 balls, but Babar anchored the chase calmly. Josh Philippe chipped in with 16, while captain Moises Henriques added a brisk 23 to keep the innings on track.

After the fall of the fourth wicket, Babar Azam found a reliable partner in Joel Davies. The duo stitched together an unbeaten 51-run stand to take the Sixers home in 19.1 overs.

Babar finished on 58 not out from 46 balls, striking four fours and a six, while Davies sealed the chase with an unbeaten 34 off 15, including three fours and two sixes.

For Renegades, Sandhu picked up two wickets, while Will Sutherland and Matthew Spoors claimed one each.

The win marked Sydney Sixers’ second victory of the season, lifting them to fifth on the BBL points table. Melbourne Renegades, meanwhile, remain seventh with just one win, sitting above only Sydney Thunder.

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Former Pakistan fast bowler Abdur Rauf has voiced sharp criticism of star batter Babar Azam, following his inconsistent run in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) 15.

Rauf, who represented Pakistan in three Tests, four ODIs, and a T20I, argued that Babar’s recent struggles indicate a loss of key batting fundamentals, warning that continuing in short-format leagues could further strain the right-hander’s game.

“Babar has lost a lot of very important credentials of batting,” Rauf wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

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“This is not the platform to mend your mistakes; you are just building more pressure on yourself. Your advisors are piece of s***. If you continue like this, how long will you survive?”

The criticism comes after Babar’s BBL campaign began on a challenging note, with single-digit scores in three of his four appearances for Sydney Sixers.

The lone bright spot was his 58-run innings against Sydney Thunder last week.

Abdur Rauf urged Babar to shift focus to longer formats to refine his technique and regain confidence.

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“Long format, county cricket or domestic first-class cricket is the only platform for you to work on your technique, spend most of the time on the pitch, play long innings, [and] then you will manage to improve your faults. It will not only relax your mind but also relieve stress from your body,” Rauf advised.

He also questioned Babar’s heavy involvement in franchise leagues, highlighting the unnecessary pressure they bring.

“Why are you putting more pressure on yourself by playing short formats and these leagues? You have enough money to pass your life comfortably, then why are you running after it and putting more stress on your mind and body that will lead you to ruin your career in the end?” Rauf added.

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SYDNEY: Pakistan batting star Babar Azam continued his inconsistent run in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) 15 as he was dismissed for just two runs during Sydney Sixers’ clash against Melbourne Stars on Friday.

Opening the innings for the Sixers, Babar looked uncomfortable from the outset against Tom Curran, who troubled him with a probing out-swinging line.

The right-hander failed to connect with his first three deliveries, all of which carried safely through to the wicketkeeper.

Curran eventually found the breakthrough on the fifth ball of the over, getting one to swing late and draw a thick outside edge, which was comfortably taken by Glenn Maxwell at slip.

Babar departed after facing seven balls, adding another low score to his tally.

 

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The dismissal marked the third time in the tournament that the former Pakistan captain has fallen for a single-digit score.

He had a forgettable start to his BBL campaign, managing just two runs off five balls on debut against Perth Scorchers in a match the Sixers went on to lose.

That was followed by another lean outing against Adelaide Strikers, where he scored nine off 11 deliveries, including a solitary boundary, as Sydney suffered consecutive defeats.

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Babar Azam did show signs of recovery in his third appearance, registering his first BBL half-century with a composed 58 off 42 balls, featuring five fours and two sixes.

That innings played a key role in Sydney Sixers securing their first win of the season and briefly silencing questions over his form.

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