Why Babar Azam is Not Playing Today in Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Sixers BBL Final?

The much-awaited final of the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) is being played between the five-time champions Perth Scorchers and three-time champions Sydney Sixers at the Optus Stadium in Perth.

Perth Scorchers' skipper Ashton Turner won the toss and chose to bowl first. Both teams went into this match with an unchanged playing 11, however, many of the viewers wondered why Babar Azam is not playing the BBL final.

Why Babar Azam is Not Playing Today?

Sydney Sixers' opener Babar Azam won't be playing in the PS vs SS Big Bash League final as the star batter has returned to Pakistan for national duties. Babar has been included in Pakistan's squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series at home against Australia, starting on January 29.

Australian first-class cricketer Daniel Hughes has been named Babar Azam replacement for the Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Sixers final. Hughes, who also played the Challenger, will be seen opening along with the star batter Steve Smith, one of the best batsmen in the world. Smith has been in tremendous form in the ongoing BBL and has rejuvenated his T20 form.

Babar Azam’s Forgettable Run in BBL 2025-26

Babar Azam’s maiden stint for the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League wasn’t as pleasant as expected. The former No. 1-ranked T20I batter failed miserably to live up to the expectations and managed to score only 202 runs in 11 matches. He scores these runs at an average of around 22 and at a poor strike rate of 103.06. Among other players who scored over 200 runs in the ongoing season, his strike rate is the lowest.

Babar, who is one of the best T20 batsmen in the world, did score two half-centuries and a 47-run knock but his strike rate was never up to the mark. During one of the matches, Babar’s fellow opening partner, Steve Smith, denied him a single to keep the strike in the next over. The incident gained a lot of attraction on social media and many fans didn’t like it either.

It would be interesting to see how Babar performs when the Australian team tours Pakistan for a much-awaited T20I series ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. The right-hander is likely to bat in the top order and will be looking to get in form ahead of the upcoming ICC event.