NEW DELHI: Babar Azam’s rough Big Bash League 2025-26 campaign showed no signs of recovery during the Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Stars clash at the SCG.

Opening the batting for the Stars, Babar once again looked short of confidence and timing as his poor run in the Australian league dragged on.

Tasked with giving Melbourne Stars a steady start, the right hander appeared out of sorts from the beginning. The footwork was tentative, the intent missing, and every delivery seemed to bring fresh uncertainty.

Tom Curran did not need anything extraordinary to remove him. A smartly bowled delivery outside off was enough to tempt Babar into another loose shot. There was no real plan behind the stroke, just a hopeful push away from the body.

The result was predictable. Glenn Maxwell, ever alert in the slips, moved quickly and completed a sharp catch, adding another highlight to his reputation as a safe pair of hands.

Babar’s innings ended at 2 off 7 balls, a brief stay that summed up his season so far. His scores in this Big Bash League now read 2, 58, 9 and 2, with the lone fifty looking more like an exception than a sign of form.