Babar Azam Sets Unwanted BBL Record for Lowest Strike Rate
Pakistan’s batting maestro, Babar Azam, recently concluded his inaugural Big Bash League (BBL) campaign. Unfortunately, he set an unwanted record, achieving the lowest strike rate in BBL history for any batter scoring 200 or more runs in a single season. This Babar Azam BBL record has sparked considerable discussion among cricket analysts, highlighting a challenging aspect of his performance.
Data from the Big Bash League reveals over 350 instances where a player scored 200 runs or more in a season. Strikingly, Azam’s strike rate of 103.06 for the Sydney Sixers in BBL 15 ranks last within this significant group. Furthermore, his overall output was weighed down by frequent low scores and a run rate that became a major talking point throughout the season.
Babar accumulated 202 runs across 11 matches, facing 196 balls. His highest score was 58 not out, and he registered two half-centuries. Nevertheless, frequent low scores and a notably slow run rate characterized his overall performance, drawing widespread attention during the tournament.
Understanding the Babar Azam BBL Record
The Sydney Sixers had high expectations, signing Babar on a reported $420,000 platinum deal as their marquee overseas player. He remains a prominent figure in global cricket, notably holding the title of the leading run-scorer in T20I history. Despite his stature, his scoring rate has drawn scrutiny in recent years. Consequently, concerns about his tempo even led to his omission from Pakistan’s T20 setup last year.
Key Statistics: Lowest Strike Rates in BBL History (Min. 200 Runs)
Below is a detailed breakdown of the players with the lowest strike rates in BBL history, having scored at least 200 runs in a season. This table clearly illustrates where Babar Azam’s BBL record stands.
(min. 200 runs)
| Player | Team | Mat | Inns | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | Strike Rate | 100 | 50 | 0 | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babar Azam | Sydney Sixers | 11 | 11 | 202 | 58* | 22.44 | 196 | 103.06 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 19 | 3 |
| Nathan McSweeney | Brisbane Heat | 9 | 9 | 222 | 73 | 27.75 | 211 | 105.21 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 3 |
| Jonathan Wells | Adelaide Strikers | 13 | 13 | 263 | 66 | 26.3 | 248 | 106.04 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 23 | 6 |
| Alex Ross | Brisbane Heat | 9 | 8 | 204 | 64 | 29.14 | 192 | 106.25 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 6 |
| Jake Weatherald | Adelaide Strikers | 14 | 13 | 213 | 51 | 17.75 | 199 | 107.03 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 20 | 2 |
| Matt Renshaw | Adelaide Strikers | 14 | 14 | 207 | 35 | 15.92 | 193 | 107.25 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 5 |
| Tim Ludeman | Adelaide Strikers | 9 | 9 | 256 | 57* | 36.57 | 238 | 107.56 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 31 | 2 |
| Joe Denly | Brisbane Heat | 12 | 12 | 223 | 50 | 18.58 | 207 | 107.72 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 17 | 5 |
| Jonathan Wells | Hobart Hurricanes | 7 | 7 | 201 | 72 | 33.5 | 184 | 109.23 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 23 | 2 |
| Jonathan Wells | Melbourne Renegades | 15 | 14 | 243 | 44 | 22.09 | 222 | 109.45 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 20 | 0 |
Babar Azam’s BBL Performance Under Scrutiny
Initially, Babar’s BBL journey started positively. He scored fifties in crucial victories against the Sydney Thunder in December and the Melbourne Renegades on New Year’s Day. However, this momentum quickly faded. He faced six single-digit dismissals in 11 games and hit only three sixes throughout the tournament, fueling criticism about his approach in the T20 power-hitting format.
Furthermore, former Australian batter Mark Waugh intensified the scrutiny. He publicly suggested the Sydney Sixers drop Babar for their decisive finals match, advocating for a more aggressive top-order batting option. Nonetheless, this difficult decision became unnecessary. The Sixers confirmed Babar’s return to Pakistan for upcoming international commitments, thus making him unavailable for the remaining BBL finals.
Pakistan is preparing to host Australia in a three-match T20 series, commencing January 29th. Although the official squad remains unannounced, experts widely expect Babar to feature prominently as Pakistan continues its preparations for the T20 World Cup. This series will be crucial for Babar to reaffirm his form and address concerns about his strike rate.
