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Babar Azam brutally slammed by Adam Gilchrist ON AIR for lacklustre batting in BBL

Rajgeeta Yadav

Babar Azam playing BBL [Source: X]Babar Azam playing BBL [Source: X]

Babar Azam remains a major talking point in cricket, and his journey in the Big Bash League (BBL 2025-26) continues to draw attention. Playing for the Sydney Sixers, Babar Azam entered the season with high expectations. His early outings did not bring big numbers, which led to mixed reactions from fans.

Still, Thursday night delivered a positive result for the star batter. During the clash against the Melbourne Renegades at the Marvel Stadium, Babar Azam played a calm and match-winning knock.

Babar finding his groove in BBL

Chasing a challenging target of 165, the Sydney Sixers needed stability at the crease with wickets falling at regular intervals at the other end. Babar stepped up and scored an unbeaten 58 runs from 46 balls. He struck four boundaries and one six, guiding his team to a six-wicket victory. 

The crowd responded with loud cheers as he reached his half-century, marking his second fifty of the season after a similar score against the Sydney Thunder on December 20.

Adam Gilchrist questions Babar Azam’s batting approach

Meanwhile, the innings sparked debate in the commentary box. Former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist shared his concerns during live coverage on Fox Cricket. Gilchrist pointed out that Babar Azam often plays at a run-a-ball pace, which may place extra pressure on his batting partner.

"Babar is not known to have a power-packed game. He is not going to hoick across the line and slog one over the boundary for a six. He needs to be proactive. He can't just think run a ball and put all the responsibility on his batting partner to get the job done," said Gilchrist.

Notably, his remarks quickly spread across social media, with fans offering divided opinions. Some supported the critique, while others praised Babar Azam for staying true to his natural game.

Despite the discussion, the numbers tell an encouraging story. This half-century was Babar Azam’s 97th fifty in T20 cricket, along with 11 centuries in the format. After losing early wickets, including Daniel Hughes and Josh Philippe, the responsibility fell on Babar Azam to anchor the chase. 

Moreover, this performance came after his omission from Pakistan’s squad for the upcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka. As a result, the knock carried added importance for his confidence and momentum in the tournament.

Australian commentators compare Virat Kohli and Babar Azam

In another moment from the same match, commentators Mark Howard and Michael Vaughan discussed social media popularity. 

They compared Instagram followers of Babar and Virat Kohli. Kohli holds over 274 million followers, while Babar Azam has around 6.4 million. Mark Howard expressed amazement, noting that ten million followers equal nearly half of Australia’s population. 

Babar's form brings positive news for Pakistan

Looking ahead, Babar's form brings positive news for Pakistan before the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The team has several aggressive hitters, yet they often struggle without a steady anchor. 

Notably, Babar fills that role with composure and experience. With Mohammad Rizwan sidelined and power hitters around him, Pakistan can allow Babar to play his natural style. If this form continues, he could remain a key figure in Pakistan’s plans on the biggest stage.