[Watch] BBL 2025-26: Adam Gilchrist Questions Babar Azam’s Intent Despite Unbeaten Fifty

Babar Azam played a steady hand as Sydney Sixers chased down 165 to beat Melbourne Renegades by six wickets, getting home with five balls to spare in a BBL clash.

Babar stayed unbeaten on 58 from 46 balls, guiding the chase after early movement. His knock helped the Sixers avoid a slip-up and secure their second win of the season.

The fifty came off 41 balls, and he ended with a strike rate of 126.09. Babar hit four fours and one six, a marked improvement after managing only 71 runs across his first four innings this season.

This was also Babar’s 97th half-century in T20 cricket. The innings came at a key time for him, days after he was dropped from Pakistan’s T20I squad for the Sri Lanka series.

While the result went Sixers’ way, the tempo of Babar’s innings became a talking point during the broadcast. Adam Gilchrist praised his technique but felt the approach could be braver.

Adam Gilchrist also called out Babar Azam slow batting in T20s during today's match.
• His limited power range restricts his boundary options.
• He must be proactive himself, not outsource the SR.
• His run-a-ball approach unfairly pressures his partner to take risks. pic.twitter.com/ahfYJNgSyO

— The PCT Army.🇵🇰 (@thepctarmy) January 1, 2026

“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,” Gilchrist said on air.

“He can’t just think run a ball and put all the responsibility on his batting partner to get the job done,” he added, echoing a wider debate around Babar’s role in modern T20 cricket.

Critics often argue that Babar’s anchor style, though reliable, can put pressure on partners during the middle overs. Supporters point to his consistency and ability to control tricky chases.

Earlier in the match, Sean Abbott set up the win with a superb bowling spell. He picked up 3 for 16 in four overs, breaking the Renegades’ momentum and earning Player of the Match.

The victory moved Sydney Sixers up to fifth on the BBL points table. They now have two wins and three losses, keeping them in the hunt for the playoffs.

Sixers will next face Brisbane Heat in Coffs Harbour on January 5, with Babar’s form likely to remain under close watch.