The Pakistan batter Babar Azam will be missing the remainder of the BBL 2025-26 playoffs campaign, as he is set to join the national team camp for the home tour against Australia.
The Sydney Sixers have confirmed that Pakistan batter will not feature in the side’s challenger game against Hobart Hurricanes on Friday at Sydney Cricket Ground. The announcement came just over 24 hours before Friday’s knockout clash.
According to Sydney Sixers’ statement, Babar Azam has been asked to return to Pakistan immediately to join the national team came ahead of the international commitments.
“The Sydney Sixers have today been informed that Sixers opener Babar Azam is required to return to Pakistan to join his national teammates in camp,” the club said in an official statement.
“As a result, Babar will depart Australia immediately and will not be available for selection for the remainder of the BBL 15 Finals Series.”
Speaking on his departure, Sydney Sixers general manager Rachael Haynes admitted the franchise had hoped for a different outcome.
A message from Babar before he heads back to Pakistan to join his national teammates in camp 🩷 pic.twitter.com/0vO0Nuokzw
— Sydney Sixers (@SixersBBL) January 22, 2026
“We are sincerely grateful for the opportunity to have had Babar represent the club,” she said. “While we had initially planned for him to be available throughout the Finals, he has been an immensely valued member of our group.”
Babar Azam had a decent run during the BBL 15 having scored 202 runs from 11 matches, with an average of 22.44 and a strike rate of 103.06. Despite smashing two fifties, he could not show consistency in the Australian league.
Babar left Australia on a positive note, thanking the club, teammates and fans for their support.
“First of all, thank you so much Sydney Sixers for having me,” Babar said. “I have very much enjoyed my time. Unfortunately, I now have to leave the team to go to national duty.”
“I have a lot of positive things to take back home. Especially thank you to the Sydney Sixers fans. There is always a lot of support and encouragement. I really enjoyed that vibe at Sydney Cricket Ground,” he added.
Despite missing the T20I series against Sri Lanka, he is expected to play in the T20I series of the Australia tour of Pakistan 2026.
The first match of the T20I series will be played on January 29 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
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