The Big Bash League's 2025–26 season has been nothing less than a spectacular event, with the presence of the Pakistani players being a crucial factor. The hype around the players has been the driving force behind packed stadiums, record-breaking TV audiences, and the overall strongest start in the history of the BBL 15 for years.

Viewership numbers hit new highs

The live digital streaming viewership of BBL 15 has seen a mind-blowing jump of 131%, when compared to the last season. The first weekend of matches had an average of 764,000 viewers, which is an 18% increase compared to the previous year and the best opening ever since BBL 10.

The multiscreen matches broadcasted on Seven, 7plus, Foxtel, and Kayo Sports had an even better performance, attracting an average of 912,000 viewers per game. The Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes match was the most popular, with more than 1.01 million average viewers, thus making it one of the most-watched BBL games before Christmas in recent times.

stadiums filling up again

The effect has gone beyond just television. The total number of spectators in the first eight matches combined reached 137,607, which is the highest at this time of a season since BBL 7. With school break just starting and major games still on the way, the organizers are hopeful that attendance will go up even more.

One of the highlights occurred on December 19 when the game between Brisbane Heat and Perth Scorchers became the most-watched regular-season BBL match in the history of the Foxtel Group and was thus a clear indication of how fast BBL 15 is setting new records.

Pakistani players are driving the surge

One of the major reasons for this revival has been the attraction of top-class Pakistani players. The signing of Babar Azam by the Sydney Sixers has created unparalleled fascination not only in the area but also worldwide. His smooth fifty against Sydney Thunder was not only a comeback but also a factor that made BBL first season very exciting around.

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There are other Pakistan players besides Babar who are adding glam to the different teams:

• Shaheen Afridi (Brisbane Heat)
• Mohammad Rizwan (Melbourne Renegades)
• Haris Rauf (Melbourne Stars)
• Shadab Khan (Sydney Thunder)

They have raised the level of playing and have also brought a big South Asian fan base which in turn has greatly enlarged the league’s global presence.

"Babristan" phenomenon and fanatical reactions

The hype has been reflected in ticket sales immediately. The Sydney Sixers had to enlarge their allocated “Babaristan” area at the SCG for the Boxing Day Bash because of the immense interest. Competition is not just about the teams but also about the players, which makes the whole tournament much more interesting.

A huge beginning for the Big Bash

BBL management commended the first week as one of the best in the league's history, with digital channels breaking streaming records on several nights and the Big Bash app being the top sports app in Australia throughout the week.

With the total number of viewers setting a new record, the audience size going up, and the fans being engaged like never before, the season of BBL 15 is definitely on the path to being one of the most-watched and most-attended ones ever. And as far as the situation is concerned, the impact of the Pakistani players has been nothing less than revolutionary - making the Big Bash a real global cricket event once more.