In a bold move that’s sure to spark debate, Australian cricket legend Mark Waugh has urged the Sydney Sixers to make a gutsy call: bench their $420,000 superstar, Babar Azam, ahead of Friday’s do-or-die Challenger clash against the Hobart Hurricanes. But here’s where it gets controversial—is dropping one of Pakistan’s all-time greats the right strategy, or a risky gamble that could backfire? Let’s dive in.
After a crushing defeat in Tuesday’s Qualifier against the Perth Scorchers, the Sixers find themselves in a must-win situation at the SCG. To secure a spot in Sunday’s final in Western Australia, they’ll need to topple the reigning champions, the Hobart Hurricanes. It’s a high-stakes game, and Waugh believes a shake-up is in order.
Babar Azam, the Sixers’ marquee overseas signing, is no ordinary player. With a platinum contract worth $420,000, he’s the leading run-scorer in T20I history and a modern-day legend in Pakistan cricket. Yet, his recent form has raised eyebrows. Despite a promising start to his Big Bash campaign—including fifties against the Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Renegades—Azam has struggled for consistency. In 11 matches, he’s managed just 202 runs at an average of 22.44, with six single-figure dismissals. And this is the part most people miss—his strike rate of 103.06 is the lowest in Big Bash history for any player scoring over 200 runs. Compare that to the likes of Nathan McSweeney (105.21) or Jonathan Wells (106.04), and it’s clear why Waugh is calling for change.
Waugh suggests bringing back either opener Daniel Hughes or middle-order veteran Jordan Silk, arguing the Sixers’ batting has become too reliant on Steve Smith. “Sam Curran bailed them out once, but he’s gone now,” Waugh pointed out in his Fox Cricket analysis. “There aren’t many players in form, so I’d bring in Hughes or Silk. Unfortunately, I’d have to drop Babar Azam. He’s world-class, but he hasn’t delivered enough at the top of the order. If you’re aiming to win this tournament, you need more.”
Azam’s struggles were on full display during last week’s Sydney Smash against the Thunder. In a now-infamous incident, opening partner Steve Smith refused an easy single to keep the strike during the Power Surge, eventually smashing 32 runs in an over—a Big Bash record. Azam, denied his turn to bat, was dismissed the next over for 47 off 39 balls. Frustrated, he smacked his bat against the boundary rope and reportedly skipped the post-match handshake with the opposition. Is this a cultural misunderstanding, or a sign of deeper issues? Sixers captain Moises Henriques downplayed the incident, calling it a “misunderstanding of culture” and confirming the pair had since made amends. But the question remains: can Azam’s form and fit be trusted in a knockout game?
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As the Sixers prepare to host the Hurricanes at the SCG on Friday (first ball at 7:15 pm AEDT), the debate rages on. Is Waugh’s call for ‘tough love’ the right move, or is dropping Azam a mistake that could cost the Sixers their tournament dreams? What do you think? Let us know in the comments—this is one discussion you won’t want to miss!
