Pakistan finds itself in an uncomfortable spot! Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are currently leading an undesirable statistic in the Big Bash League (BBL) 2026, a competition that was anticipated to showcase the exceptional talents of the nation’s batting elite in T20 cricket. Instead, it has turned into a source of embarrassment for these players.
Babar Azam, representing the Sydney Sixers, and his teammate Mohammad Rizwan have surprisingly become the slowest scorers of the season among those who have faced at least 120 balls. As it stands, Rizwan boasts a strike rate of just 102.74, while Babar's is slightly better at 107.48. In a league renowned for its aggressive gameplay, these figures raise eyebrows for all the wrong reasons. To put this into perspective, up-and-coming batsman Konstas has a strike rate of 110.21, and Australian player Tom Rogers leads with an impressive 127.50.
During a recent press briefing, Mohammed Siraj discussed the upcoming decisive series against New Zealand, but the focus for many fans remains on the performances of Babar and Rizwan. Babar has scored a total of 201 runs over nine games this season, averaging 28.71. Meanwhile, Rizwan has found himself struggling, managing to accumulate only 187 runs in ten innings with a disappointing average of 18.7.
Babar's difficulties were particularly evident in a recent match against the Sydney Thunder at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). A notable moment occurred when teammate Steve Smith opted against taking a straightforward single during the Power Surge. This decision left Babar, who was on 47 runs, visibly frustrated as he found himself stranded mid-pitch. Smith's choice was strategic; he aimed to maintain the strike for himself. Remarkably, Smith went on to score an astonishing 32 runs in the following over, marking it as the highest scoring over in BBL history. Unfortunately for Babar, he soon fell victim to Daniel McAndrew’s bowling, getting dismissed after attempting to increase his pace, resulting in him smashing his bat against the boundary cushions in frustration as he exited the field.
Babar's innings included seven boundaries off 39 deliveries, yet many are questioning the overall tempo of his play. Rizwan’s situation was even more alarming; while playing for the Melbourne Renegades against the same Sydney Thunder team, he managed only 26 runs from 23 balls. As the team’s chances dwindled, the Renegades made a groundbreaking decision—Rizwan was retired out of the match. This marked a first in BBL history, as no overseas player had ever faced such an outcome before. Captain Will Sutherland stepped in to replace him at the crease.
But here's where it gets controversial: Are Babar and Rizwan’s struggles merely a reflection of their current form, or do they point to deeper issues within the structure of T20 cricket and how it values aggressive play? What do you think? Are these players being unfairly criticized, or is their performance indicative of broader trends in the game? Share your thoughts!
