Babar Azam signs with new team after PCB ends his T20I career

Pakistan's star batter Babar Azam has been signed by the Sydney Sixers as a pre-draft international pick for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) season. The franchise confirmed the move on Friday, and Babar will join forces with Australian batter Steven Smith in the Sixers' lineup for the next season.

The Sydney Sixers have finalized their pre-draft international signing by securing Babar Azam. As per BBL rules, each team is allowed to sign one overseas player ahead of the draft, and the Sixers were the last to confirm their pick. Babar has amassed over 14,000 runs for Pakistan in international cricket.

Babar Azam Joins Sydney Sixers for Big Bash League Season

Babar Azam is excited about joining the Sydney Sixers, calling it a great chance to feature in one of the top T20 leagues in the world. Azam said that he’s eager to contribute to the team’s success.

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"I’m very proud to be joining the Sydney Sixers for the upcoming season. 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," Babar said in a Sixers release.

"I'm looking forward to contributing to the team's success, building a strong connection with the fans, and sharing this experience with my friends, family and supporters at home in Pakistan," he added.

Pakistan icon and global superstar @babarazam258 will play his first Big Bash season in #BBL15 🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/hx1mYra5Mf

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) June 13, 2025

He Is a World-Class Player and a Proven Leader - Rachael Haynes

Sydney Sixers General Manager Rachael Haynes said that Babar Azam has an exceptional track record and leadership qualities. Haynes called him a world-class addition not just for the team but for the entire BBL.

"Babar's resume speaks for itself," Rachael Haynes said. "The skill, professionalism, and experience that he brings is of enormous value to our playing group and the news is obviously incredibly exciting for our fans."

"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 Sixers strive to be a destination club on the global stage - from playing at the iconic SCG to delivering world-class match day experiences and signing the top talent from around the world - and securing a player of Babar's calibre only further strengthens that vision."

Babar Azam Among Leading Run-Getters in T20 Format

Babar Azam will be joined by fellow Pakistani players Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, and Mohammad Rizwan in the upcoming Big Bash League. The four players will enter through the overseas draft next week.

Babar recently led Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League. However, his team finished near the bottom of the table. He was the top scorer for Zalmi with 288 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 128.57.

The 30-year-old was dropped from Pakistan’s T20I squad earlier this year. He remains one of the top run-getters in the format globally. Azam has played in tournaments like the CPL, BPL, LPL, and England’s Vitality Blast. He has scored over 11,000 runs in T20 cricket at an average above 43.

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