Pakistan’s prominent cricketers Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi experienced underwhelming debuts in the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26 season. These high-profile players failed to meet expectations in their opening matches, drawing criticism from fans and media.
Babar Azam:
Babar Azam had a poor start in his first Big Bash League match for the Sydney Sixers against the Perth Scorchers at Optus Stadium. He scored only 2 runs off 5 balls and got out when pacer Brody Couch took a mistimed pull shot, caught at mid-on due to extra bounce. Rain cut the game short to 11 overs per side.Opening the batting, Babar faced a dot ball first and couldn’t find his rhythm. He fell in the third over, which hurt the Sixers as they lost the match. Commentators said the bounce was why he got out so early.
Mohammad Rizwan:
Mohammad Rizwan made his Big Bash League (BBL) debut for Melbourne Renegades. He scored 4 runs off 10 balls before being dismissed. Rizwan tried a big slog sweep against spinner Paddy Dooley but got caught by Hugh Weibgen at GMHBA Stadium. Commentator Adam Gilchrist was surprised by the shot choice, as the pitch had uneven bounce and Rizwan didn’t know Dooley’s bowling well.
Shaheen Shah Afridi:
Shaheen Shah Afridi struggled in his first Big Bash League match for Brisbane Heat against Melbourne Renegades. He bowled only 2.4 overs and gave away 43 runs without taking a wicket. His economy rate was 16.10.
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He started with three dot balls but then leaked runs, including 19 in his second over and 15 in his third over. That over had three no-balls and two wides. Umpires stopped him after two high full tosses to Tim Seifert and Ollie Peake. Afridi scored 0 off 3 balls in chase.
Pakistan’s prominent cricketers faced a forgettable debut in the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26, with high expectations.
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