Babar Azam falls for second-ball duck in Sixers’ BBL qualifier loss

Babar Azam’s debut Big Bash League (BBL) season ended in disappointment as he was dismissed for a second-ball duck during the Sydney Sixers’ qualifier against Perth Scorchers at Optus Stadium on Tuesday.

Chasing a target of 148, the Sixers lost Babar early when he was stumped by Josh Inglis off Cooper Connolly’s bowling on the second delivery of the first over.

The dismissal capped a mixed BBL 15 campaign for Babar, who featured in 11 matches and scored 202 runs at an average of 22.44 and a strike rate of 103.06, including two half-centuries.

Earlier, Perth Scorchers posted 147 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs after struggling to build momentum. Mitchell Marsh was dismissed for five in the opening over, with Josh Starc striking early.

Finn Allen and Aaron Hardie added stability, taking the score past 50 before Allen was removed by Starc for 49 off 30 balls, which included two fours and four sixes.

Josh Inglis and Cooper Connolly were dismissed cheaply, while captain Ashton Turner top-scored with 29 off 21 deliveries. Jhye Richardson added 20 lower down the order.

For the Sixers, Josh Starc, Jack Edwards and Ben Dwarshuis claimed two wickets each, with Joel Davies and Ben Manenti taking one apiece.