Karachi, December 15, 2025: Pakistan’s star cricketers Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi endured disappointing debuts in the Big Bash League (BBL 15) on Monday, drawing mixed reactions and criticism from cricket enthusiasts online.
Babar Azam, signed directly by Sydney Sixers ahead of the players’ auction, struggled to make an impact against Perth Scorchers at Optus Stadium on Sunday. The star batter managed just two runs off five deliveries, surviving a scare on his third ball but eventually edging a similar shot to mid-on on the fifth, ending his innings prematurely.
Former Pakistan white-ball captain Mohammad Rizwan, representing Melbourne Renegades, also had an underwhelming outing, scoring four runs off 10 balls against Brisbane Heat.
Meanwhile, ace pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi had a forgettable spell with the ball. He conceded nine and 19 runs in his first two overs before being removed from the attack after bowling two over-the-waist-height no-balls in his third. Shaheen finished with disappointing figures of 0/43 in 2.4 overs.
The trio’s struggles prompted a strong response from cricket fans on social media. A user, Shoaib Niazi, described their performances as a “horrible start for Pakistani players in BBL,” while another fan, Maaz, argued that the players were “overhyped” by their franchises and should reflect on their current form.
“BBL were hyping Babar, Shaheen, Rizwan non-stop. All three got exposed in their first match. They need to do massive self-reflection and put their ego aside,” Maaz wrote, linking the underperformance to the Pakistan cricket team’s struggles over the last two years.
Currently, seven Pakistani cricketers are representing different franchises in the ongoing 15th edition of the BBL, with fans hoping for improved performances in upcoming matches.
