🏏📉 WATCH: Babar Azam’s Poor Form Continues in BBL 15
🇵🇰 A Global Star Under the Microscope as Struggles Deepen at the Sydney Cricket Ground
Few names in modern cricket command as much admiration, expectation, and scrutiny as Babar Azam. Widely regarded as one of the finest batters of his generation, the Pakistan star has built a reputation on elegance, consistency, and classical shot-making. However, cricket is a game that spares no one—not even its brightest stars.
In the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) 15, Babar Azam’s struggles with the bat have once again become a talking point. His latest outing for Sydney Sixers against Melbourne Stars at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) saw him dismissed for just two runs off seven balls, reigniting debates around form, confidence, adaptability, and pressure.
This detailed blog dives deep into Babar Azam’s BBL 15 campaign, breaking down his dismissals, technical issues, mental challenges, comparisons with his past performances, reactions from fans and experts, and what lies ahead for one of cricket’s most followed superstars.
🏟️ The Match Context: Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Stars (BBL 15)
The clash between Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Stars was expected to be a marquee contest, featuring international stars and high-stakes competition. All eyes, however, were firmly fixed on one man—Babar Azam.
Coming into the match, Babar’s form had already raised concerns. While he had registered a half-century earlier in the tournament, his overall consistency remained questionable, particularly in the powerplay.
The SCG pitch, known for its pace, bounce, and carry, presented an ideal stage for Babar to rediscover his rhythm. Unfortunately, the script unfolded very differently.
🎯 The Dismissal: A Short Stay, A Familiar Story
⚡ Sam Curran vs Babar Azam – A Tactical Battle
Babar Azam’s dismissal came courtesy of Sam Curran, whose disciplined bowling exposed Babar’s indecision early in the innings.
📌 Ball-by-ball struggle:
- First three deliveries: Missed completely
- Balls swung away sharply
- Fifth delivery: Late outswinger
- Result: Edge to slip, caught cleanly by Glenn Maxwell
Babar faced seven deliveries, managing only two runs before walking back to the pavilion—visibly disappointed.
This was not a reckless dismissal. Instead, it was a reflection of hesitation, late foot movement, and uncertainty against swing bowling.
📉 A Pattern Emerging: Babar Azam’s BBL 15 Numbers
📊 Tournament Breakdown So Far
Babar Azam’s BBL 15 campaign has been a rollercoaster:
🟥 Match 1 vs Perth Scorchers
- Runs: 2 (5 balls)
- Result: Sydney Sixers lost
🟥 Match 2 vs Adelaide Strikers
- Runs: 9 (11 balls)
- Result: Another defeat
🟩 Match 3 – Breakthrough Performance
- Runs: 58 (42 balls)
- Fours: 5
- Sixes: 2
- Result: Sixers’ first win
🟥 Match 4 vs Melbourne Stars
- Runs: 2 (7 balls)
📌 Key concern:
👉 Three single-digit scores in four matches
For a player of Babar’s stature, such inconsistency inevitably fuels discussion.
🧠 Technical Analysis: What’s Going Wrong?
🔍 Struggles Against the Moving Ball
One recurring theme in Babar Azam’s dismissals—across formats—is his difficulty against late swing, especially early in his innings.
Key technical observations:
- Closed stance limiting adjustment
- Front foot not committing fully forward
- Late bat coming down
- Edge-catching zones constantly in play
In Australian conditions, where swing and bounce combine, these flaws become magnified.
🧠 Mental Aspect: Confidence Under Pressure
Form in cricket is as much psychological as it is technical.
For Babar:
- Massive expectations follow him everywhere
- Captaincy pressures in recent years
- Criticism from fans and former players
- Comparisons with modern T20 power-hitters
These factors can lead to:
- Overthinking
- Conservative shot selection
- Hesitation in the powerplay
When confidence dips, timing disappears—and cricket offers no mercy.
🔄 A Look Back: Babar Azam’s T20 Journey in 2025
🇵🇰 Return to T20Is: A Mixed Comeback
Babar recently returned to international T20 cricket after a hiatus since December 2024, facing South Africa at home.
📉 Series performance:
- Match 1: Duck
- Match 2: 11
- Match 3: 68
While the 68 showed promise, inconsistency remained.
🌍 Tri-Series Performance: Zimbabwe & Sri Lanka
In the T20I tri-series:
- Matches: 5
- Runs: 127
- Strike Rate: 112.38
- Fifties: 1
These numbers highlight a broader issue:
👉 Babar’s strike rate remains under scrutiny in modern T20 cricket.
🔥 The Modern T20 Debate: Where Does Babar Fit?
⚔️ Classical Technique vs Power Hitting
Modern T20 cricket increasingly rewards:
- Explosive starts
- High strike rates
- Boundary-heavy innings
Babar’s strengths, however, lie in:
- Timing
- Placement
- Anchoring roles
While this approach has brought immense success in ODIs and Tests, T20 leagues like the BBL demand immediate impact.
This mismatch often places Babar in an uncomfortable spotlight.
🧢 Leadership Shadow: Life After Captaincy
Though no longer Pakistan’s all-format captain, the legacy of leadership pressure still lingers.
Years of:
- Tactical criticism
- Selection debates
- Public scrutiny
have undoubtedly taken a toll.
BBL was seen as a fresh start, a chance to play with freedom. But form issues have followed him overseas—suggesting deeper challenges.
📣 Fan Reactions: Divided Opinions Across Social Media
💬 Supporters Stand Firm
Many fans continue to back their star:
- “Form is temporary, class is permanent.”
- “Even the best go through rough patches.”
- “BBL pitches aren’t easy for anchors.”
🔥 Critics Grow Louder
Others are less forgiving:
- “T20 demands intent from ball one.”
- “Babar struggles against swing everywhere.”
- “Time to reinvent or risk fading.”
The debate is intense, emotional, and relentless—especially given Babar’s popularity.
🏏 Sydney Sixers’ Dilemma: Backing Their Star
For Sydney Sixers, the situation presents a tactical challenge.
Options include:
- Persisting with Babar at the top
- Dropping him down the order
- Allowing him to play as an anchor
So far, the Sixers have shown faith—hoping that one solid knock could unlock consistency.
🔮 What Needs to Change for Babar Azam?
🛠️ Technical Adjustments
- Earlier commitment on front foot
- Open stance against swing bowlers
- Leaving balls outside off early
🧠 Mindset Shift
- Accepting early risks
- Playing with freedom
- Reducing fear of failure
🔁 Role Clarity
- Anchor or aggressor—choose one
- Adjust strike rate expectations
- Adapt to league demands
🧩 Bigger Picture: Is This Just a Phase?
History suggests that great batters always bounce back.
Babar Azam has:
- Over 10,000 international runs
- Multiple ICC awards
- Proven adaptability across formats
Every elite cricketer—from Kohli to Smith—has endured lean patches. What defines them is how they respond.
🧠🏏 Cricketing Insights & Expert Analysis
📌 Why Babar Azam Is Struggling Specifically in the BBL
Babar Azam’s challenges in BBL 15 are not random; they are context-specific.
Key cricketing factors:
- Australian swing + extra bounce exposes his closed stance early
- New ball movement at SCG is sharper than subcontinent conditions
- BBL powerplay demands immediate intent, not consolidation
- Bowlers are targeting a 4th–6th stump corridor relentlessly
Unlike slower Asian pitches, Australian surfaces punish hesitation. Babar’s natural game requires 10–15 balls to settle—luxury T20 leagues rarely allow.
🎯 Tactical Match-Up Issue: Left-Arm Seamers vs Babar
Sam Curran’s success was not accidental.
Why left-arm seamers trouble Babar:
- Ball moving away late from right-hander
- Forces Babar to play with hard hands
- Slip cordon constantly in play
- Disrupts his preferred on-drive and cover drive zones
This is a known weakness, and teams are exploiting it mercilessly.
⚔️ Is Babar Being Used Incorrectly by Sydney Sixers?
Yes — tactically.
Better options could be:
- Batting at No. 3 instead of opening
- Allowing aggressive openers to absorb swing
- Using Babar as a stabilizer after powerplay
Currently, Babar is facing the toughest phase of the innings without protection.
📉 Strike Rate Reality Check
Modern elite T20 batters operate at:
- 135–150 SR minimum in leagues like BBL
Babar’s recent numbers:
- T20I SR (2025): ~112
- BBL SR (excluding fifty): under 100
This doesn’t mean he lacks skill — it means adaptation is overdue.
🔄 Can Babar Still Turn This Around in BBL 15?
Absolutely — but only if:
- He attacks early instead of surviving
- Accepts the risk of early dismissal
- Stops overvaluing wicket preservation
- Plays with intent, not reputation
One dominant innings can reset perception instantly.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
❓ Why is Babar Azam struggling in BBL 15?
A: Babar is struggling due to early swing, aggressive powerplay demands, and hesitation against the moving ball in Australian conditions.
❓ How many times has Babar Azam scored single digits in BBL 15?
A: He has been dismissed for single-digit scores three times in four matches.
❓ Who dismissed Babar Azam for 2 runs against Melbourne Stars?
A: Babar was dismissed by Sam Curran, caught by Glenn Maxwell at slip.
❓ Has Babar Azam performed well at all in BBL 15?
A: Yes. He scored 58 off 42 balls, his first BBL half-century, in one match.
❓ Is Babar Azam’s T20 career declining?
A: No. He is going through a form and adaptation phase, not a skill decline.
❓ Should Sydney Sixers drop Babar Azam?
A: No. Adjusting his batting position would be smarter than dropping him.
❓ Does Babar Azam struggle against swing bowling?
A: Yes. Late outswing, especially from left-arm seamers, has been a recurring issue.
❓ Can Babar bounce back later in the tournament?
A: Yes. One impactful innings can completely change his BBL narrative.
🏁 Final Thoughts: Pressure, Promise, and the Road Ahead
Babar Azam’s struggles in BBL 15 are undeniably concerning—but they are not career-defining.
This phase represents:
- A test of resilience
- A challenge to evolve
- A moment to silence critics through performance
The cricketing world knows what Babar is capable of. Whether in the remaining BBL matches or upcoming international fixtures, the expectation remains the same:
👉 One innings can change everything.
Until then, the spotlight stays firmly on Pakistan’s modern-day batting icon—waiting, watching, and hoping for the return of the Babar Azam fans know and love.