Former Australian batter Mark Waugh has suggested that Sydney Sixers consider leaving Babar Azam out of the playing XI for the team’s must win Big Bash League knockout match on January 23, saying the side may need a more aggressive option at the top.
Waugh made the comments during commentary for the Hobart Hurricanes versus Melbourne Stars knockout match, where he questioned whether the Sixers’ current top order provides the right balance.
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While acknowledging Babar’s class and experience, Waugh said the opener’s starts have been inconsistent and his scoring rate can increase pressure on the rest of the batting lineup. He added that the team has relied heavily on Steve Smith to score quickly.
Discussion around Babar’s role has intensified after another difficult outing in his debut BBL season. In the Sixers’ qualifier against Perth Scorchers at Optus Stadium on Tuesday, Babar fell for a second ball duck while chasing a target of 148.
Josh Inglis stumped him off Cooper Connolly on the second delivery of the innings, putting the Sixers under early pressure.
Babar has played 11 matches this season, scoring 202 runs at an average of 37.27, with two half centuries that contributed to victories. However, his strike rate of around 103 has drawn criticism, with observers saying it does not align with the demands of powerplay batting in the BBL.
The contrast has become more noticeable since Steve Smith joined the Sixers after the Ashes. Smith has made an immediate impact, scoring a fifty and a century and collecting 210 runs from 122 balls in just four matches, prompting renewed focus on the team’s batting approach.
