Only 202 runs in 11 innings, slow batting… Babar Azam left Big Bash and returned to Pakistan amidst embarrassment

By Samira Vishwas On Jan 22, 2026

BBL 2026: Sydney Sixers have to face Hobart Hurricanes tomorrow in the ‘do or die’ Qualifier-2 match, but before this match, Pakistan’s Babar Azam is out.

BBL 2026: Sydney Sixers have to face Hobart Hurricanes tomorrow in the ‘do or die’ Qualifier 2 match, but before this match, Pakistan’s Babar Azam has been ruled out. PCB has officially recalled him citing ‘National Camp’, but his recent performance has raised many serious questions.

Babar’s ‘flop show’ in statistics

Throughout the season, Babar Azam’s bat could not show the magic for which he is known. Especially his strike rate remained a matter of great concern for the Sydney Sixers. Babar’s performance this season has been very shameful. He has scored 202 runs in 11 matches played at an average of 22. Babar has scored only 2 half-centuries. The exclusion of the Pakistani player will not change anything for the league. Any other player can perform well in his place.

Babar Azam will return to Pakistan to commence preparations for upcoming international matches.#BBL15 pic.twitter.com/bH5cGRfjh8
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 22, 2026

The real reason behind PCB’s decision?

Even though the official reason has been given as ‘National Camp’, it would not be wrong to say that PCB has taken this step to save Babar’s declining confidence from getting further hurt. Due to continuous low scores and slow batting in BBL, pressure was increasing on him. Before the T20 World Cup 2026 starting from February 7, the board wants Babar to regain his rhythm in the domestic environment of Pakistan.

‘Tension’ in dressing room and rift with Smith

This season of Babar was not only bad for runs, but his body language on the field also looked sluggish. Babar’s displeasure was evident when Steve Smith refused to take a single in the match held on 16 January. Former Australian players believed that Babar’s slow batting was putting additional pressure on other players of the team (especially Smith).

Also read: T20 WC 2026: “We are not safe in India”, Bangladesh’s arrogance is not decreasing even after ICC’s ultimatum, will it be out of the tournament?

Pakistan’s next mission

Pakistan has to play a three-match T20 series against Australia at home just before the World Cup. This series will be a ‘litmus test’ for Babar Azam because the Pakistani squad for the World Cup has not been officially announced yet.