 "Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam have been among the slowest batters this season. Image: BBL")
Pakistan’s biggest stars are enduring a nightmare run in the Big Bash League 2025-26, with Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam making headlines for the wrong reasons. What was expected to be a platform for them to show their worth in T20s has instead turned into a season full of struggles, criticism and uncomfortable moments.
Mohammad Rizwan’s last-to-last outing for the Melbourne Renegades summed up his difficult BBL campaign. Against Sydney Thunder, the wicketkeeper-batter managed just 26 runs off 23 balls, an innings that lacked intent at a time when quick scoring was needed. The situation became even more awkward when Renegades captain Will Sutherland asked Rizwan to walk off mid-innings, effectively retiring him out.
It was a rare call, and a first for an overseas player in BBL history. Fans were stunned, and social media quickly reacted. Overall, Rizwan has failed to make an impact this season. In ten innings, he has scored only 187 runs at a strike rate of just over 102. Earlier knocks like 21 off 25 balls and several low scores have only added to the disappointment. His latest outing saw him score just 17 runs as his team lost by 8 wickets.
Babar and Shaheen’s struggles
Babar Azam’s campaign has followed a similar pattern. While his numbers look slightly better on paper, with 201 runs in nine matches at an average of 28.71, his strike rate of 107.48 has drawn criticism. Along with Rizwan, Babar sits at the top of an unwanted list as one of the slowest batters this season among players facing over 120 deliveries.
His struggles were highlighted during Sydney Sixers’ match against Sydney Thunder, when Steve Smith refused an easy single to keep the strike during the Power Surge. Babar, left stranded on 47, looked visibly upset . Smith then smashed 32 runs in the next over, the most expensive in BBL history. Soon after, Babar was bowled for 47 off 39 balls, an innings that again sparked debate about his tempo.
Quick Reads
View AllThe problems haven’t been limited to Babar and Rizwan. Shaheen Shah Afridi’s BBL stint has been equally troubling. Playing for Brisbane Heat, the left-arm pacer bowled two waist-high no-balls in a match against Melbourne Renegades in his debut match, leading to his removal from the attack mid-over. He conceded 43 runs in just 2.4 overs without taking a wicket.
His struggles continued against Adelaide Strikers, where he was taken apart for 19 runs in one over before suffering a knee injury while fielding. The injury forced him off the field and later resulted in his BBL campaign being cut short. He has returned home for treatment following the knee injury. It has raised serious concerns for the Pakistan team with the T20 World Cup 2026 just weeks away.