Pakistan batter Babar Azam will not be available for the Sydney Sixers for the remainder of the Big Bash League 2024–25 season after being recalled to Pakistan’s national camp ahead of upcoming international fixtures.

The Sydney Sixers confirmed that Babar has been released from the squad as part of his national commitments, which makes him unavailable for the BBL15 finals series. The decision is linked to Pakistan’s international calendar, with the national selectors calling the senior batter back to prepare for forthcoming assignments.

Babar joined the Sixers as one of the league’s marquee overseas signings and featured in the latter part of the season. While his presence added star value to the squad, his availability was always subject to clearance from the Pakistan Cricket Board, particularly with international matches scheduled during the business end of the tournament.

In recent days, there has also been speculation on social media around Babar’s equation with Australian batter Steve Smith following a high-profile on-field moment earlier in the season. However, there has been no official statement from either player or the Sydney Sixers suggesting any dispute or disagreement. Team management has not linked Babar’s departure to any internal issue, and the recall has been communicated as a routine national call-up.

Sources close to the franchise indicate that the move was anticipated, given Pakistan’s international schedule, and was not influenced by dressing-room dynamics or individual relationships. Any suggestion of tension remains speculative and unsupported by official confirmation.

With Babar unavailable, the Sydney Sixers will now move forward into the finals phase without the Pakistan star, reshaping their batting plans as they aim for another Big Bash title. Babar, meanwhile, is set to shift focus back to international cricket as Pakistan prepare for their next series.

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