Marcus Stoinis delivers fiery send-off to Babar Azam in BBL clash
Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis delivered a fiery send-off to Pakistan’s Babar Azam during a Big Bash League (BBL) match on Thursday, getting revenge after the Pakistan star had earlier dismissed him in the first innings. The Melbourne Stars captain celebrated the wicket in animated fashion, sparking a brief exchange before Babar walked off without reviewing the LBW decision.
Stoinis gets revenge with fiery celebration
The Melbourne Stars captain had earlier been dismissed for 33 runs in the first innings after chipping the ball to Sydney Sixers’ Babar at cover. He got his revenge in the second innings, removing the Pakistan batter for 14 runs with a classical leg-before-wicket dismissal.
Stoinis bowled a fuller delivery aimed at the stumps, and Babar missed his flick. The ball struck his pad, and the umpire raised his finger after the LBW appeal.
As the umpire gave his verdict, Stoinis celebrated the wicket in animated fashion and gave Babar a fiery send-off. The Pakistan star had a brief discussion with Josh Philippe at the non-striker’s end but opted not to review the decision, accepting the umpire’s call and walking back to the pavilion.
The incident added spice to an already competitive BBL encounter, with both players showing the competitive intensity that has made them stars in their respective teams.
Sydney Sixers claim six-wicket victory
Sydney Sixers registered a six-wicket win over Melbourne Stars in the match, with Babar’s early dismissal proving to be a turning point in the chase. The victory keeps the Sixers in contention for the playoffs as the BBL season enters its crucial final stages.
Babar’s BBL journey
Sydney Sixers signed former Pakistan captain Babar for the ongoing BBL season, marking one of the biggest acquisitions in the league’s history. The move brought one of world cricket’s most recognized faces to Australia’s premier T20 competition.
With over 15,000 international runs across formats, the stylish right-hander has cemented his place as one of the most prolific and reliable players in world cricket. A key figure in Pakistan’s national team for the past decade, Babar captained his country in all three formats from 2019 to 2024, leading Pakistan to the semi-final of the 2021 ICC World Cup and the final in 2022.
Record-breaking career
Renowned for his calm demeanour and consistency at the crease, Babar has remained a fixture among the world’s top-ranked batters in both ODI and T20I formats. He was named ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year in 2021 and 2022 and crowned ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year in 2022.
A record-breaker in his own right, Babar is the fastest player to reach 5,000 ODI runs, achieving the feat in just 97 innings. With extensive franchise experience in the Pakistan Super League, Caribbean Premier League, and English domestic cricket, Babar brings a wealth of T20 knowledge and has amassed over 11,000 runs in the format to date.
Despite the early dismissal and animated send-off, Babar’s presence in the BBL has added significant star power to the competition and provided fans with the opportunity to see one of the game’s modern greats in action on Australian soil.