LAHORE: Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam has officially departed the Sydney Sixers camp after the franchise confirmed his recall to Pakistan’s national squad ahead of upcoming international commitments. The Sixers announced his exit on X, stating that he will be unavailable for the remainder of the BBL 15 Finals Series.
The club shared a farewell video message from Babar, in which he expressed heartfelt gratitude to the team management, players, and fans for their hospitality during his stint in Sydney. “First of all, thank you so much to Sydney Sixers — all the boys and all the coaches. I really enjoyed my time here, and unfortunately I have to leave the team because of national duty,” he said.
Babar also praised the support he received from the stands, noting that the atmosphere and encouragement made his time with the Sixers memorable. “They always support us — a lot of encouragement and a lot of fun. I really enjoyed that vibe in Sydney at the cricket ground, so thank you so much,” he added.
The Sixers are scheduled to play the Challenger Final against the Hobart Hurricanes on Friday, with the winner set to face the Perth Scorchers in the BBL final on Sunday. Babar’s departure leaves a gap in the batting lineup as the team heads into the decisive stage of the tournament.
His exit follows a disappointing outing in the BBL 15 Qualifier against the Perth Scorchers, where he was dismissed for a second-ball duck while chasing 148 at Optus Stadium. Despite that setback, Babar ended the season with 202 runs from 11 matches, including two half-centuries, leaving behind flashes of his class and a strong impression.
