The Sydney Sixers signed him before next week’s player draft so that Babar Azam will play in the Big Bash for the first time.
The previous captain of the country and the second-highest run scorer in T20 international history will be able to play the entire 2025–26 season.
Sydney Sixers unveil Babar Azam-themed fan-zone: “Babaristan”
Key details
- The fan zone, Babaristan, described as “a dedicated seating area … celebrating Babar Azam & the vibrancy of South Asian culture.”
- The launch doesn’t just mark Babar’s debut for the Sixers—it’s being pitched as a broader cultural moment, emphasising inclusivity and energy: “Whether you’re a die-hard Babar fan, a cricket lover, or just keen to experience the electric atmosphere of South Asian culture – this area is for you.”
- Tickets for the Big Bash League (BBL) season are on sale, and the Sixers encourage fans to snag a seat in Babaristan early.
- The announcement cites December 17th as a landmark date (“See you at the SCG on December 17th to give Babar a very warm Sydney welcome.”)
Why this matters
- From Karachi to the SCG: This move symbolically bridges Babar’s Pakistani heritage and his global franchise debut, creating a cultural nexus that goes beyond mere sport.
- A marketing & fan-engagement masterstroke: By naming the zone Babaristan, the Sixers tap into fan identity (especially for South Asian supporters) and build a more immersive match-day experience.
- Signal of globalisation in sport: Cricket franchises are increasingly thinking globally—this is a clear example of how a local team asserts international cultural outreach.
- Inclusive atmosphere: Rather than just cheering for the player, the zone invites fans to partake in the “vibrancy of South Asian culture”—i.e., culture, not just cricket.
Some tips for you (if you’re considering going)
- Arrive early: Dedicated zones tend to be prime spots; arrive with time to soak in the atmosphere, grab themed merchandise, and maybe wear green/white to show support.
- Check the date: If December 17th is indeed the launch match (vs unknown opponent) at the SCG, plan accordingly—travel, seating, transport.
- Expect culture-plus-cricket: the zone will likely feature more than just seats—perhaps music, fan activities, flags, maybe local South Asian food stalls or themed visuals.
- Share the moment: this is a social-media goldmine. Consider bringing flags, banners, and fan gear so you can be part of the narrative and get featured.
What we do know
- The Sixers have publicly announced the “Babaristan” fan zone: “Introducing Babaristan, a fan zone like no other, celebrating cricket culture and the arrival of Babar Azam.”
- The launch date is flagged as 17 December (for the Sixers vs Adelaide Strikers match) at the SCG.
- Tickets are on sale, with a specific “Babaristan GA (Active Support Zone)” listed for sure matches. For example, general admission tickets are listed under the Babaristan Active Support Zone. starting at “$19.00.”.
- The SCG has a publicly available seating map (available via the stadium and the SCG website) that helps you visualise where the seats are in general.
Visuals & Seating Map
Here are some helpful visuals:
- Firstly, the SCG general seating map will assist you in orienting yourself.
- Second: The Sixers GA bays list shows “Bays 31, 32, 33” for general admission seats. (Sydney Sixers)
- Third: Crowd photos of fan zones (while not specifically labelled “Babaristan”) give an idea of the atmosphere.
Tips for you if you’re getting tickets
- Act quickly if you want Babaristan tickets, which are primarily for fans from Pakistan or those interested in the Babar-Azam hype, as they may sell out fast due to the themed branding.
- Check the ticket type: Ensure what you’re buying actually says “Babaristan GA (Active Support Zone)” or similar wording.
- Arrive early: to be part of the zone’s vibe (flags, chants, culture), you’ll want to arrive before the main match starts.
- Dress & gear: This zone could lean into Pakistani fan culture (green/white, Babar shirts, flags), so bring your colours!
- Know your entry gate: Since the SCG has many gates, fan zones sometimes use a designated gate or entry path. However, I have not yet found a clearly marked “Gate for Babaristan”.
Babar Azam is set to make his Big Bash League debut with the Sydney Sixers.
Babar, who is 30 years old, has played 320 T20 games across various leagues worldwide. Most recently, he scored the most runs for Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League.
But he wasn’t picked for Pakistan’s most recent T20 encounter against Bangladesh.
“It’s a great chance to play in one of the world’s best Twenty20 competitions and to be a part of such a strong and respected franchise,” Babar said.
The Sixers finished second in the 2024–25 season, but they lost both of their playoff games. First to the Hobart Hurricanes and then to their rivals, the Sydney Thunder.
Each team can sign one foreign player before Thursday’s draft.
The Sixers were the only men’s team that hadn’t signed a foreign player. Other teams had already signed English players Jamie Overton, Chris Jordan, Tom Curran, and Sam Billings.
Some of the players who have signed up for the draft include the English duo of Jacob Bethell and Ollie Pope, both of whom made their league debut last season.
Both of them could have retained by the teams that previously hired them. The Melbourne Renegades or the Adelaide Strikers, with one more player from each team’s draft picks still available.
Amy Jones, Alice Capsey, Dani Gibson, Heather Knight, Sophie Ecclestone, and Danni Wyatt-Hodge are all potential women’s players who could remain on the team, as no English players have signed yet.
There are some new names in the draft. They are Sam Curran and Lauren Bell from England, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shadab Khan from Pakistan.
The Sydney Sixers make headlines for signing Babar Azam.
The Sydney Sixers of the Big Bash League (BBL) have released a teaser video featuring Pakistan’s star batter, Babar Azam, and hinting at a major announcement.
The team’s official social media pages posted a promotional video that seems to show Babar in a possible Sixers jersey. This made fans excited and led to rumours about his BBL start.
The franchise is likely to make the official terms of Babar’s deal public.
This possible signing comes before the foreign players draft for BBL Season 15, which is set for June 19.
Cricket Australia (CA) just released the first list of international players who are qualified for the draft.
The list includes well-known Pakistani cricketers like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, and Mohammad Rizwan.
England’s Sam Curran and Alex Hales, New Zealand’s Lockie Ferguson and Tim Southee, Sri Lanka’s Kusal Perera, and the West Indies’ rising fast bowler Shamar Joseph were also on the first 10-player pick list.
The BBL and WBBL drafts have moved up to June for the first time to help teams plan their teams early.
Cricket Australia reports that over 600 players from other countries have expressed interest in participating in the upcoming season.
The Brisbane Heat will have the first pick in the BBL draft, and the Sydney Sixers will have the first pick in the WBBL draft.
There will be four rounds in each draft, and in each round, teams will pick one person.
Each player will paid in Platinum (Rounds 1-2), Gold (Rounds 2-3), Silver (Rounds 3–4), and Bronze (Round 4 only).
On the other hand, on Tuesday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) gave No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to 13 national cricketers.
These included senior stars Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who let them play in different foreign franchise leagues.
Keep on Reading:
- Hasan Ali: From Humble Beginnings to Pakistan’s Pace Sensation
- Here’s How Much Babar Azam is Earning From His CA Deal