Overview
- Sydney Sixers confirmed Babar Azam has left to join Pakistan’s national camp and will miss the remainder of the BBL|15 Finals Series.
- The timing removes a marquee opener before Friday’s Challenger against Hobart Hurricanes, with Pakistan preparing for T20Is against Australia starting January 29 and World Cup selection.
- Babar’s debut BBL return was 202 runs in 11 innings at a 103.06 strike rate, reported as the lowest in league history for a 200+ run season.
- Sixers captain Moises Henriques said the much-discussed single denied by Steve Smith was a cultural misunderstanding that took a couple of days to settle.
- Following Babar’s exit, the Sixers recalled veteran Daniel Hughes to their finals squad, while Babar posted a message thanking the club and fans before departing.