SYDNEY: Pakistan’s star batsman Babar Azam scored his maiden half-century in the Big Bash League (PBL) 15 during the Sydney derby between Sixers and Thunder at the Sydney Showground Stadium.
The 31-year-old, who has had a poor start to his BBL career, was in control as he walked out to open the Sixers’ innings alongside Daniel Hughes after Thunder captain David Warner won the toss and elected to field first.
Baber was immediately tested by Reece Tapley, who bowled a snaring yorker, angling into the off-stump, but the right-handed batsman dug in accurately to guide it towards mid-on.
He dismissed Nathan McAndrew in the next over with a trademark cover drive, which added to the height of Baber’s game as he reached his first BBL half-century in 38 balls.
Babar could add eight more to his personal tally after amassing the milestone as he was caught off the bowling of Tapley in the 16th over.
He scored 58 runs off 42 balls with five fours and 2 sixes and scored notable runs for sixes, while Josh Phillip scored 96 runs off 57 balls which included 6 fours and 4 sixes.
The duo shared a 140-run partnership for the second wicket and were instrumental in taking the Sixers to a mammoth total of 198/5 in the allotted 20 overs.
Babar Azam made his much-anticipated PBL debut in a curtain-raiser against Perth Scorchers on Sunday.
He posted a single-digit score in his second appearance against the Adelaide Strikers on Wednesday as he managed nine runs before falling to Luke Wood.
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