Sydney Sixers anticipated to introduce Pakistan star Babar Azam in BBL action
Hype around Babar Azam joining Sydney Sixers for BBL Season 15
Are we seeing a Pakistani superstar in the Sydney Sixers jersey soon? That's what many fans are speculating, following a tantalizing video teaser shared by the Sydney Sixers on their social media channels!
The video, though brief, showed a player that resembles Babar Azam donning the Sixers colors, sending the cricket community into a frenzy of excitement. Yet, the Sixers haven't confirmed the signing – but an announcement is anticipated before the overseas players' draft slated for June 19.
Curious about Babar's T20 rankings? Well, as of late, no Pakistani player graces the top ten, according to the ICC's latest T20 rankings. Keeping up with the trends, the PCB has granted NOCs to not just Babar, but 12 other promising players – including the likes of Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and the speedy Haris Rauf.
Besides the usual names from Pakistan, the BBL draft boasts high-profile international players like England's Sam Curran and Alex Hales, and New Zealand's Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee, and Kusal Perera. The West Indies' Shamar Joseph isn't far behind, either.
It's not just the men's Big Bash League that's making waves; the Women's Big Bash League draft is also under the microscope, featuring star cricketers like India's Jemimah Rodrigues and Shikha Pandey, West Indies' Deandra Dottin, and Pakistan's Fatima Sana.
Amidst all this, the BBL and WBBL drafts have been moved ahead to June, giving teams extra time to assemble their rosters. In total, over 600 overseas players have shown interest in the upcoming season.
As for the BBL draft order, the Brisbane Heat and Sydney Sixers hold the first picks. Each franchise can select a player per round across four salary categories – Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Should Babar indeed join the Sixers, he would be readily available during the BBL tournament window between December 14 and 28.
While we await the official confirmation, Babar, Rizwan, Shaheen, and others were given a resting period during Pakistan's recent T20I series against Bangladesh. Meanwhile, fellow pacer Haris Rauf has secured an NOC for Major League Cricket 2025, which starts this coming Friday, and Mohammad Amir is continuing his stint with Essex until July 18.
Stay tuned for official updates on Babar Azam's BBL participation in the coming weeks! 🔥🏏🇵🇰
- If Babar Azam signs for the Sydney Sixers, he will be donning a jersey normally associated with precious metals like gold, given the team's name and the anticipation surrounding his potential arrival.
- The Sydney Sixers, with an exquisite roster featuring international stars like Babar Azam, are expected to make an impressive showing in the upcoming sports season, much like how silver and gold medals are cherished in various competitions.
- The overseas players' draft for the Big Bash League offers positions to not just high-profile players, but also promising talent from countries like Pakistan, providing these players with an opportunity to gain valuable experiences, just as a low-ranked player can rise through the ranks to become a top-tier performer in sports, akin to watching silver turn to gold.
