Babar Azam Relishes Sixers Stint With Steve Smith

English , Snippets , Sports - کھیل اور کھلاڑی , / Saturday, December 13th, 2025

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SYDNEY — Pakistan’s premier batter Babar Azam has expressed strong excitement about featuring in the Big Bash League (BBL), saying the opportunity to play for the Sydney Sixers alongside Australian great Steve Smith will help him sharpen his skills while entertaining fans across Australia.

With the BBL set to begin this weekend, Babar has emerged as one of the tournament’s biggest attractions, particularly among Australia’s large Pakistani community. Fans in Sydney and Perth have shown strong interest in tickets, eager to watch the star batter compete in one of the world’s most competitive T20 leagues. The Sydney Sixers will open their campaign on Sunday against five-time champions Perth Scorchers at Optus Stadium.

“I am super excited to be a part of the Sydney Sixers,” Babar told Telecom Asia Sport. “You always learn a lot while playing in Australia, and this will be a great experience for me, especially because I will be playing alongside Steve Smith, who is a great player.”

Babar is among seven Pakistani cricketers taking part in this year’s Big Bash League, underlining Pakistan’s growing presence in the tournament. His long-time T20 international opening partner Mohammad Rizwan has joined the Melbourne Renegades, while pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi will represent Brisbane Heat. Haris Rauf returns to the Melbourne Stars, Shadab Khan features for Sydney Thunder, Hasan Ali turns out for Adelaide Strikers, and Hasaan Khan is also part of the Renegades squad.

The former Pakistan captain said he has already felt strong support from the local Pakistani community, particularly in Perth, and expects even larger crowds in Sydney. “It’s a great feeling to see so much excitement among Pakistan fans here. It motivates me to perform well and entertain them,” he said.

For many supporters, Babar’s participation in the BBL is a rare opportunity to watch the prolific batter live. Mohammad Imran, a Perth resident for over two decades, said he and his friends secured their tickets well in advance and are eagerly looking forward to seeing their favourite batter in action.

In Sydney, the excitement has gone a step further, with local cricket enthusiasts setting up a dedicated fan zone named “Babristan” near the Sydney Cricket Ground. Cricket organiser Sohail Sheikh said Babar’s arrival has created exceptional enthusiasm among Pakistani fans. “Babar is our pride, and there is huge excitement over seeing him play for the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League,” he said.

The rki.news team wished Babar Azam every success in the Big Bash League, expressing hope that he will deliver match-winning performances and play a decisive role in leading the Sydney Sixers to victories. As one of Pakistan’s most accomplished contemporary batters, his presence is expected to elevate the competition, inspire fans, and further strengthen Pakistan’s profile on the global T20 stage.