No Steve Smith; Babar Azam to open: Sydney Sixers' strongest XI for BBL 2025-26

Sydney Sixers strongest XI [Source: @Smithian_here/x.com]

The Big Bash League (BBL) 15 is set to commence next week, and the buzz has reached its peak as several high-profile Pakistani players will also take part in the tournament. One of their biggest stars, Babar Azam, will represent the Sydney Sixers as the Pakistan batter will get a chance to redeem himself in the coveted competition.

The Sixers boast a strong squad for the upcoming season, and with Babar’s arrival, the batting department will be bolstered. The team has plethora of star-studded players and here is how the team could lineup with Babar in it.

Sydney Sixers squad

Sean Abbott (contracted until BBL|15), Babar Azam (BBL|15), Jafer Chohan (BBL|15), Sam Curran (BBL|15), Joel Davies (BBL|16), Ben Dwarshuis (BBL|17), Jack Edwards (BBL|16), Moises Henriques (BBL|15), Daniel Hughes (BBL|15), Hayden Kerr (BBL|16), Ben Manenti (BBL|15), Todd Murphy (BBL|15), Mitch Perry (BBL|15), Josh Philippe (BBL|16), Kane Richardson (BBL|15), Lachlan Shaw (BBL|16), Jordan Silk (BBL|15), Steve Smith (BBL|16). Marquee supplementary list: Mitchell Starc (BBL|15)

No Steve Smith, Babar to open for Sixers

Steve Smith is in the Sixers squad, but he won’t join the team immediately as the Aussie captain is currently playing in The Ashes against the English team. With Smith unavailable, Josh Philippe, the Australian destructive batter will open the batting, and he could be paired up with Babar Azam, who boasts a stellar opening T20I record.

(Babar as opener in T20Is)

• As a T20I opener for Pakistan, Babar Azam has racked up 2973 runs, the most he has scored at a particular position. Also, his best strike rate comes when he opens the batting (130), and hence, he should be made to bat at the top.
• The Australian pitches suit his batting style, and he should be given the maximum number of balls to exploit the bowling attack.
• While Babar can play the second fiddle, Philippe can be the aggressor as he has proven time and again.

Experienced duo to hold fort in middle order

In Moises Henriques and Daniel Hughes, the team has two experienced players, and they will be vital for the Sixers’ chances in the upcoming season. More than anyone else, Henriques will hold the key and the all-rounder has a stellar BBL record as well.

(Henriques in BBL)

• He has the experience of playing 141 BBL matches, and has racked up 3139 runs as the Sixers will pin their hopes on captain Courageous to steer them to victories.
• Also Dan Hughes is also an experienced campaigner as the two key Australian batters will be vital for the Pink Army.

Sam Curran, the star who can take the league by storm

Sam Curran, the English all-rounder, will mostly be used as a floater, but primarily he’ll bat at 6 as the team needs a bit of firepower towards the end. Not only with the bat, but Curran can also win matches for Sixers with the ball, and this dual trait will benefit the team in the long run.

He has the experience of playing 305 T20 matches, and has racked up 4908 runs, and has scalped 292 wickets, showcasing his all-round brilliance.

An all-Aussie bowling lineup

There is Ben Dwarshius, Todd Murphy, and Sean Abbott in the lineup, but perhaps, Sixers’ most important piece in the bowling department is Kane Richardson. The 34-year-old is still going strong for his domestic team, and has been a BBL legend as the team will hope he can deliver the goods once again.

(Richardson in BBL)

• 116 matches, 141 wickets define his BBL journey. He has been a workhorse for them and despite having other quality Australian bowlers in their ranks, Richardson’s ability to deliver the goods across different phases of the game could potentially decide the Sixers’ journey in the upcoming season.

Sydney Sixers strongest XI for BBL 2025-26

Babar Azam, Josh Philippe, Moises Henriques, Jordan Silk, Daniel Hughes, Sam Curran, Hayden Kerr, Sean Abbot, Todd Murphy, Kane Richardson, Ben Dwarshius

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