Pakistani batting maestro looks forward to learning from Australian veteran while entertaining fans down under
Pakistan's premier batsman Babar Azam has spoken about his anticipation for the upcoming Big Bash League season, where he'll have the chance to play alongside Steve Smith and perform in front of passionate supporters.
Learning from an Australian Legend
As the Big Bash League prepares for its opening weekend, Babar has emerged as one of the tournament's most anticipated signings. The Sydney Sixers will kick off their campaign on Sunday against the Perth Scorchers, five-time champions, at Optus Stadium.
"I am super excited to be a part of the Sydney Sixers," Babar told Telecom Asia Sport. "It is a fact that you learn a lot while playing in Australia so this is going to be a good experience for me, more so because I will get a chance to play alongside Steve Smith, who is a great player."
The opportunity to share a dressing room with Smith represents more than just another tournament appearance for Babar. Playing in Australian conditions has long been considered valuable preparation for international cricketers, and partnering with one of the format's most accomplished players adds another dimension to that experience.
A Strong Pakistani Presence in the BBL
Babar joins six other Pakistani cricketers competing in this edition of the league, marking a significant representation from the South Asian nation. His regular T20I opening partner Mohammad Rizwan has signed with the Melbourne Renegades, while pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi will feature for Brisbane Heat.
Haris Rauf returns to the Melbourne Stars, Shadab Khan represents Sydney Thunder, Hasan Ali plays for the Adelaide Strikers, and Hasaan Khan also lines up for the Renegades. This collective presence has generated considerable interest among cricket followers across Australia.
Fan Support Already Building
The Pakistani community in Australia has responded with genuine enthusiasm to Babar's arrival. Ticket sales in Sydney and Perth have seen notable increases, with supporters recognizing this as a rare chance to watch the accomplished batsman perform live.
"I have already seen the excitement in the Pakistan community in Perth and when I go to Sydney there will be more fans coming, so it's a nice thing to entertain them," Babar said.
Mohammad Imran, a Perth resident for 20 years, described how he and his friends prepared for the occasion. "We bought tickets for the match well in advance and will go to see our beloved batter in action."
Sydney Creates Special Fan Zone
The level of anticipation in Sydney has prompted local cricket clubs to organize something special. A dedicated fan zone called "Babristan" has been established outside the Sydney Cricket Ground, providing a gathering point for supporters.
Sohail Sheikh, a cricket organiser in Sydney, explained the community's feelings about Babar's arrival. "Babar is our honour," he said. "There is a lot of excitement amongst the Pakistani fans over Babar coming to Sydney and play for our team in the BigBash League."
More Than Just Entertainment
While entertaining fans remains important to Babar, he views this stint with the Sixers as an opportunity for professional development. Australian cricket has produced some of the sport's finest players, and the competitive environment of the Big Bash League offers valuable exposure.
The combination of high-quality opposition, unfamiliar conditions, and the chance to work with players like Smith creates an environment where improvement becomes possible. For Babar, who continues to refine his game across all formats, these experiences contribute to his ongoing evolution as a cricketer.
The opening weekend of the Big Bash League promises to deliver both competitive cricket and a celebration of the sport's ability to bring communities together.
Pakistan's premier batsman Babar Azam has spoken about his anticipation for the upcoming Big Bash League season, where he'll have the chance to play alongside Steve Smith and perform in front of passionate supporters.
Learning from an Australian Legend
As the Big Bash League prepares for its opening weekend, Babar has emerged as one of the tournament's most anticipated signings. The Sydney Sixers will kick off their campaign on Sunday against the Perth Scorchers, five-time champions, at Optus Stadium.
"I am super excited to be a part of the Sydney Sixers," Babar told Telecom Asia Sport. "It is a fact that you learn a lot while playing in Australia so this is going to be a good experience for me, more so because I will get a chance to play alongside Steve Smith, who is a great player."
The opportunity to share a dressing room with Smith represents more than just another tournament appearance for Babar. Playing in Australian conditions has long been considered valuable preparation for international cricketers, and partnering with one of the format's most accomplished players adds another dimension to that experience.
A Strong Pakistani Presence in the BBL
Babar joins six other Pakistani cricketers competing in this edition of the league, marking a significant representation from the South Asian nation. His regular T20I opening partner Mohammad Rizwan has signed with the Melbourne Renegades, while pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi will feature for Brisbane Heat.
Haris Rauf returns to the Melbourne Stars, Shadab Khan represents Sydney Thunder, Hasan Ali plays for the Adelaide Strikers, and Hasaan Khan also lines up for the Renegades. This collective presence has generated considerable interest among cricket followers across Australia.
Fan Support Already Building
The Pakistani community in Australia has responded with genuine enthusiasm to Babar's arrival. Ticket sales in Sydney and Perth have seen notable increases, with supporters recognizing this as a rare chance to watch the accomplished batsman perform live.
"I have already seen the excitement in the Pakistan community in Perth and when I go to Sydney there will be more fans coming, so it's a nice thing to entertain them," Babar said.
Mohammad Imran, a Perth resident for 20 years, described how he and his friends prepared for the occasion. "We bought tickets for the match well in advance and will go to see our beloved batter in action."
Sydney Creates Special Fan Zone
The level of anticipation in Sydney has prompted local cricket clubs to organize something special. A dedicated fan zone called "Babristan" has been established outside the Sydney Cricket Ground, providing a gathering point for supporters.
Sohail Sheikh, a cricket organiser in Sydney, explained the community's feelings about Babar's arrival. "Babar is our honour," he said. "There is a lot of excitement amongst the Pakistani fans over Babar coming to Sydney and play for our team in the BigBash League."
More Than Just Entertainment
While entertaining fans remains important to Babar, he views this stint with the Sixers as an opportunity for professional development. Australian cricket has produced some of the sport's finest players, and the competitive environment of the Big Bash League offers valuable exposure.
The combination of high-quality opposition, unfamiliar conditions, and the chance to work with players like Smith creates an environment where improvement becomes possible. For Babar, who continues to refine his game across all formats, these experiences contribute to his ongoing evolution as a cricketer.
The opening weekend of the Big Bash League promises to deliver both competitive cricket and a celebration of the sport's ability to bring communities together.
