Slowest fifty in BBL 2025-26 (Source: X.com)
On Thursday, Babar Azam scored a 41-ball half-century to help Sydney Sixers secure a six-wicket win over Melbourne Renegades in the 18th match of the BBL 2025-26 at Docklands Stadium, Melbourne. His fifty in 41 deliveries is the joint slowest fifty in the league's 15th edition, sharing the spot with Cameron Bancroft.
The former Pakistan captain is currently toiling for a berth in the nation's T20 World Cup 2026. Thus, chasing down the target of 165 with five balls to spare, Azam's half-century displayed his trademark elegance and composure under pressure.
While the Big Bash League (BBL) is known for producing fast-paced, high-score performances, not every batter has been able to do the same. The challenging conditions down under really test batters' grit and composure in pressure situations.
That being said, take a look at the top 5 slowest fifties in the BBL 2025-26, which are dominated by Babar Azam, who occupies the two spots while playing for Sydney Sixers.
3) Babar Azam - 38 balls vs Sydney Thunder
Pakistan's star batter, Babar Azam, who had endured two modest outings earlier in the tournament, gradually found his rhythm after a cautious start and brought up his maiden BBL half-century from 38 balls, equaling Sam Konstas' record of the third slowest half-century in Big Bash League 2025-26.
His innings came to an end in the 18th over when he attempted to hit a short ball from Topley, finishing with a composed 58 off 42 balls, including five fours and two sixes.
3) Sam Konstas - 38 balls vs Brisbane Heat
20-year-old Sam Konstas brought up a gritty half-century of 38 balls in Sydney Thunder's game against Brisbane Heat on 22nd December, 2025. The 9th match of the BBL 2025-26 edition saw fifties from Konstas and Matthew Gilkes before Shadab Khan's top spell stopped Heat from chasing another big total of 194.
Meanwhile, Konstas' innings with not six, saw 8 fours in total, before he eventually fell for 63 runs in 45 balls.
2) Ben McDermott - 39 balls vs Melbourne Stars
On a day totally dominated by the 41-year-old Peter Siddle, Ben McDermott played a lone hand for the Hurricanes, crafting a well-made 69 after arriving at the crease in the second over.
Showing his calm, McDermott brought up his 39-ball fifty, the second slowest in BBL 2025-26. Combining with Tim David, McDermott threatened to push Hobart to a competitive score.
1) Cameron Bancroft - 41 balls vs Hobart Hurricanes
After losing the bat flip and being sent in, Cameron Bancroft held Sydney's innings together with 61 from 44 balls. The 33-year-old righty batter, in the joint slowest fifty of BBL 2025-26, smashed 5 boundaries and 2 sixes. Despite being in a losing cause, Bancroft demonstrated his maturity through this knock.
1) Babar Azam - 41 balls vs Melbourne Renegades
Sydney Sixers’ star batter Babar Azam started 2026 in style, guiding his team to a six-wicket win over Melbourne Renegades in the 18th match of the Big Bash League at Docklands Stadium, Melbourne. Babar’s unbeaten 58 off 46 balls powered the Sixers to 168 for four, chasing down the target of 165 with five balls to spare.
Notably, he reached his half-century in just 41 deliveries, which is the joint slowest half-century in the league's 15th edition.
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