Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Afridi praised Babar Azam ahead of their 2025/26 Big Bash League (BBL 15) showdown, calling the Pakistan captain a “world-class player” and acknowledging his ability to score big runs.
Afridi said he plans to adapt to the Australian pitches and use different deliveries to challenge Babar, noting the difference in playing conditions compared to Pakistan.
“Babar scores consistently for Pakistan and can rotate the strike effectively. My plan will be simple: make the most of the Australian pitches,” Afridi said. He added that he expects Australian conditions to assist him more than the flat wickets he has faced back home.
The two stars are set to clash on January 5, 2026, when Babar Azam’s Sydney Sixers take on Shaheen’s Brisbane Heat at Coffs Harbour.
Both players, however, are looking to regain form after underwhelming starts in BBL 15. Babar struggled in his debut game for the Sixers against Perth Scorchers, scoring just 2 runs off 5 balls as his team suffered a heavy defeat.
Shaheen, meanwhile, endured a difficult BBL debut with Brisbane Heat against Melbourne Renegades. In the 18th over of Renegades’ innings, Afridi bowled two waist-high full tosses to Tim Seifert and Ollie Peake, prompting the umpires to remove him from the attack for dangerous bowling.
Heat captain Nathan McSweeney completed the over as Afridi watched on, finishing with figures of 0-43 from 2.4 overs, including three no-balls and two wides.
Shaheen also had little impact with the bat, being dismissed in the final over as Brisbane Heat fell to defeat against the Renegades. Despite the rocky start, both Afridi and Babar will look to bounce back in their upcoming BBL encounters.
