Babar Azam Could Be Named Sydney Sixers Captain for BBL 16 — Here's Why It Makes Perfect Sense

Babar Azam made his much-anticipated Big Bash League debut with the Sydney Sixers in BBL 15, drawing millions of Pakistani fans to the competition and creating "Babaristan" at the SCG. Now, with BBL 16 on the horizon, one question is dominating cricket forums: could Pakistan's former captain be handed the Sixers' armband? With his captaincy pedigree, global fanbase, and leadership DNA, the case is stronger than you think.

Following PSL 2026's success, Babar Azam is likely to get another major role. He could be seen as the captain of a Big Bash League (BBL) club in the upcoming season.

Peshawar Zalmi emerged as the winner of the recently concluded Pakistan Super League 2026 season, defeating Hyderabad Kingsmen in the final. Throughout the tournament, Zalmi played with pure dominance. In the group stage, they were the table topper, and then in the play-offs, too, they are undefeated.

Babar Azam's BBL 15 Journey: What Went Right — and What Didn't

Ahead of the PSL 2026 season, there were doubts over Babar Azam because of his inconsistent form. He dropped from the Pakistan national team’s captaincy as well. Later, despite getting repeated chances for the national side, the batter’s form was never near the expectations. During the T20 World Cup 2026, his batting attracted constant criticism. Babar got an unwanted reputation for maintaining a slow run rate in the Twenty20 format.

At the beginning of the PSL 2026 season, Azam’s strike rate was under scrutiny. The top-order batter gradually improved his T20 batting style as the season progressed. At the end of the season, the right-handed batter had 2 centuries and 3 half-centuries with his name. And, he took up his strike rate to 145.90.

Babar Azam's Captaincy Record: Can "The King" Lead From the Front?

Babar’s return to form helped Peshawar Zalmi in their campaign a lot. With an in-form Babar Azam at the top of the batting order, Zalmi clinched the title. By winning the title and scoring those hundreds and fifties with an improved strike rate, the star batter of Pakistan has shut many critics' mouths.

It is reported that the BBL franchise, Sydney Sixers, is interested in appointing Babar Azam as their captain for the upcoming season. Nothing is finalized yet. According to the claims. The franchise has sent the captaincy offer to the batter; the final call will be pronounced from Babar Azam’s end.

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BBL 16 Predictions: Is This the Season Babar Azam Finally Delivers in Australia?

In the BBL 2026 season, the Lahore-born’s performance with the Sydney Sixers was below par. Because of the low strike rate, which was 103.06, and a batting average of 22.44, he had to surpass tons of criticisms then. 

However, the Sydney Sixers reached the final of the league, but ended as the runner-up. Moises Henriques was the captain of the team. If the reports are to be believed, then Henriques' captaincy role in the team is at risk.