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Babar Azam punishes Rizwan's Renegades; boosts T20 World Cup selection with BBL fifty

Debashis Sarangi

Babar Azam in action in BBL [Source: @ChallengerY56/X]Babar Azam in action in BBL [Source: @ChallengerY56/X]

Pakistan's veteran batter Babar Azam regained his mojo in the BBL, slamming a match-winning half-century in the Sydney Sixers' encounter against the Melbourne Renegades. Opening the batting for the Sixers, Babar Azam played a significant role in the Sixers' smooth win, leading the charge with a steady fifty, his second in the ongoing BBL season. 

Babar Azam breaks BBL slump with fighting fifty

One of the most high-profile BBL signings, Babar Azam, had a poor start to the season, recording consecutive single-digit scores against Perth Scorchers and Adelaide Strikers. Although the game against Sydney Thunder witnessed Babar's comeback, the Pakistani stalwart registered another failure when his side locked horns with the Melbourne Stars. 

However, Babar Azam's determination paid rich dividends in the Sydney Sixers' crucial face-off against the Renegades, as he converted his start into a significant score. 

Batting first, the Renegades posted a respectable score of 164 runs, riding on crucial contributions from Josh Brown, Hassan Khan, and Jake Fraser-McGurk. 

But the score didn't prove to be sufficient for the Sixers, who cruised to the target with five balls to spare, courtesy of Babar Azam's half-century and a magnificent cameo from Joel Davies. 

How did Babar Azam pace his innings in the Sixers vs Renegades BBL match?

Daniel Hughes ensured a solid start for the Sixers, while Babar Azam initially took a bit of time to settle himself in the middle. As the scars of previous dismissals were still afresh in his mind, Babar decided to play his natural game and bat according to the match situation. 

However, as the required rate breached the nine-run mark, Babar Azam broke the shackles and capitalised on the field restrictions. He shifted gears in the power surge, forming a crucial 42-run partnership with captain Moises Henriques. 

Although Henriques departed for an 18-ball 23, Babar Azam remained unbeaten, eventually completing his second fifty of the ongoing BBL season. He finished the game with a boundary, scoring 58 runs off 46 balls with the help of four boundaries and a six. 

While Babar ensured the Sixers didn't lose the plot, Joel Davies adopted a more aggressive route, smashing 34 runs, including three fours and two sixes, off just 15 deliveries. 

His partnership of 51 runs with Babar Azam helped the Sixers go past the finish line in the 20th over. Thus, the Sydney Sixers clinched their second win of BBL 2025-26, securing fifth place in the points table. 

Babar Azam strengthens T20 World Cup selection chances

Babar Azam was excluded from the Pakistan squad for the upcoming Sri Lanka T20Is due to BBL commitment. Although Babar's performance in the first four BBL matches could've jeopardised his T20 World Cup hopes, the right-handed batter managed to turn things around with a morale-boosting fifty against the Renegades. 

The Sixers will face Brisbane Heat in their next BBL game, while Pakistan are set to take on the Netherlands in their T20 World Cup opener at the Sinhalese Sports Club stadium in Colombo on February 7.