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Will Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan look back at their BBL 15 participation as a huge mistake?

Will Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan look back at their BBL 15 participation as a huge mistake?

  • Yes – It hurt their reputation and form

    Votes: 33 89.2%

  • No – Valuable experience despite the criticism

    Votes: 3 8.1%

  • Mixed – Some lessons, but not worth the backlash

    Votes: 1 2.7%
  • Total voters
    37
BouncerGuy

BouncerGuy

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As the dust settles on BBL 15, one question looms large for Pakistan cricket fans: Was it worth it for Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan to participate in this season’s Big Bash League? What was billed as a golden opportunity for Pakistan’s premier batting duo to showcase their class on Australian soil has instead turned into a narrative of missed chances, tactical misfires, and growing criticism.

Babar Azam, despite flashes of brilliance—including a composed 47 off 39 in a 141-run stand with Steve Smith—struggled to consistently impose himself in the high-octane T20 environment. His strike rate and inability to accelerate in key moments drew criticism, especially after a viral moment where he was visibly frustrated with Smith for denying a single during a crucial over. That incident, though minor in isolation, became symbolic of a broader narrative: Babar’s discomfort in adapting to the aggressive tempo of the BBL.

Mohammad Rizwan fared no better. His campaign was punctuated by a controversial retired out decision that sparked fierce debate among pundits and fans alike. Intended as a tactical move, it instead became a lightning rod for criticism, with many questioning his form and intent. His innings lacked fluency, and his strike rate remained among the lowest for top-order batters this season.

Both players, once seen as ambassadors of Pakistan’s T20 prowess, now find themselves at the center of a storm. From social media mockery to questions about their adaptability and value in overseas leagues, the fallout has been swift and unforgiving.

So, was BBL 15 a valuable learning curve or a reputational setback for Babar and Rizwan? Have they done more harm than good to their T20 credentials?

Let’s discuss.
 
Australia is generally a challenging venue for touring batters. Even many legendary batters struggled there.

I am guessing they will not play in BBL again.
 
sweep_shot said:
Australia is generally a challenging venue for touring batters. Even many legendary batters struggled there.

I am guessing they will not play in BBL again.
Click to expand...
Is this true for t20s though? I have seen many visiting batsmen do well in T20 on the true bouncy wickets.
 
Usman Chadda said:
Both have been embarrassed and humiliated a number of times over the years, it’s just that this BBL has brutally highlighted what a lot of us here say - these two have no space in limited overs cricket in the modern game.
Click to expand...
You guy's deserved it, or hype karo Tullebaazo ko.
 
The issue is that they have been publicly embarrassed not just to do with their batting skills - and in this day and age, social media makes it sting harder.
 
BouncerGuy said:
As the dust settles on BBL 15, one question looms large for Pakistan cricket fans: Was it worth it for Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan to participate in this season’s Big Bash League? What was billed as a golden opportunity for Pakistan’s premier batting duo to showcase their class on Australian soil has instead turned into a narrative of missed chances, tactical misfires, and growing criticism.

Babar Azam, despite flashes of brilliance—including a composed 47 off 39 in a 141-run stand with Steve Smith—struggled to consistently impose himself in the high-octane T20 environment. His strike rate and inability to accelerate in key moments drew criticism, especially after a viral moment where he was visibly frustrated with Smith for denying a single during a crucial over. That incident, though minor in isolation, became symbolic of a broader narrative: Babar’s discomfort in adapting to the aggressive tempo of the BBL.

Mohammad Rizwan fared no better. His campaign was punctuated by a controversial retired out decision that sparked fierce debate among pundits and fans alike. Intended as a tactical move, it instead became a lightning rod for criticism, with many questioning his form and intent. His innings lacked fluency, and his strike rate remained among the lowest for top-order batters this season.

Both players, once seen as ambassadors of Pakistan’s T20 prowess, now find themselves at the center of a storm. From social media mockery to questions about their adaptability and value in overseas leagues, the fallout has been swift and unforgiving.

So, was BBL 15 a valuable learning curve or a reputational setback for Babar and Rizwan? Have they done more harm than good to their T20 credentials?

Let’s discuss.
Click to expand...
Premier batsmen, ambassadors of Pakistan’s T20 prowess.

Seeing these words in this OP tells me so much is wrong with Pakistan cricket. No wonder they both got humiliated deservedly in BBL.
 
From an Ind v Pak perspective, it would have been interesting to see how an Indian would go at this league. Would he encounter similar challenges? Ashwin signed up but didn't seem to play a game - anybody know why?
 
Their BBL performance was supposed to be their shining moment to prove to the world that they belong in T20 Cricket and to hang among the best. Sadly they looked like complete school kids in front of men.
 
Varun said:
From an Ind v Pak perspective, it would have been interesting to see how an Indian would go at this league. Would he encounter similar challenges? Ashwin signed up but didn't seem to play a game - anybody know why?
Click to expand...
Ashwin was injured :kp
 
BouncerGuy said:
Keep your hatred away and see their contributions... Shall I paste here the records of these guys????
Click to expand...
I think that's the point though. Aussies don't care for individual records or players playing for stats. They don't care what average a player have, all they care is players being self less and playing according to match situation and not just same way for their personal numbers.

They don't care if you are Babar or Smith or Kohli, if you don't play for the team you are pushed aside no matter how you are, how big of a star or what personal stats you have.

They don't even care how much you won in the past, they just care what you are doing in this match to help team win.
 
Varun said:
From an Ind v Pak perspective, it would have been interesting to see how an Indian would go at this league. Would he encounter similar challenges? Ashwin signed up but didn't seem to play a game - anybody know why?
Click to expand...
Our bowlers have been decent.

Ashwin would have been just fine as would most of your international level bowlers.

In batting we are way behind your players so we can't make judgements based on Rizwan and Babar performance.
 
If anyone still had any doubts about why Aussies win so many world cups and what mentality leads to them, this BBL should have answered all of them.

And I am not just saying because it's funny because it's Pakistani players being affected.

No other country in the world does this, particularly even at league levels. Even IPl glorified individual stars over teams and keep talking about personal record. Teams like RCB favored Kohli over actually winning cups.

For an Aussie winning mentality is ingrained at every stage, from domestic to leagues. So every player who comes up has this non selfish winning mentality right from young age.

They feel they are part of a larger team who is there just to win. And any player who doesn't help that goal is sidelined no matter who they are.

And keep in mind, this works both ways. While this expects big stars to be not selfish, it also helps youngsters and other members of team be responsible. If a youngster feels he has same place as Steve Smith or Cummins and save value, he will also try to be as responsible as them instead of always relying on superstars to bail them out of choking when they get out.

Sub continental players - oh Kohli, sahin, Babar got our, now we will lose.

Aussie players - so one player got out but so many more are there and we are all the same.
 
Really poor work by the agent. He got them the BBL deals when Babar/Rizwan were freshly dropped by the Pakistan management. He could have easily got them deal in BPL and built the narrative “we need Babar and Rizwan in conditions similar to Sri Lanka”

I’m sure guys like @Major and @BouncerGuy would have pushed for this too.

Huge miscalculation! Huge overestimation of RizBar’s actual abilities and huge underestimation of the BBL standard by the agent!

You should watch Tanvir Ahmed’s vlogs when the deal was announced and how before the BBL he kept harping on about how highly the world rates Babar and Rizwan because of the direct signing and also first pick in platinum for Rizwan. He claimed the wickets in Australia suit Babar’s style of play etc.

Har lihaaz se flop ho gate Guru!
 
There are so many concepts that have also been exposed here…

When the RizBar custodians such as @BouncerGuy @Major @daytrader were questioned about why Babar and Rizwan play in this highly conservative style in T20s…there response would always be “they have to play like this because they are batting with really poor batters and the team would struggle to make 120 without them” blah blah blah

So what happened in BBL when they were surrounded by players who are not poor players apparently? Why are they continuing to bat in this crap approach?
 
Sachin fan said:
If anyone still had any doubts about why Aussies win so many world cups and what mentality leads to them, this BBL should have answered all of them.

And I am not just saying because it's funny because it's Pakistani players being affected.

No other country in the world does this, particularly even at league levels. Even IPl glorified individual stars over teams and keep talking about personal record. Teams like RCB favored Kohli over actually winning cups.

For an Aussie winning mentality is ingrained at every stage, from domestic to leagues. So every player who comes up has this non selfish winning mentality right from young age.

They feel they are part of a larger team who is there just to win. And any player who doesn't help that goal is sidelined no matter who they are.

And keep in mind, this works both ways. While this expects big stars to be not selfish, it also helps youngsters and other members of team be responsible. If a youngster feels he has same place as Steve Smith or Cummins and save value, he will also try to be as responsible as them instead of always relying on superstars to bail them out of choking when they get out.

Sub continental players - oh Kohli, sahin, Babar got our, now we will lose.

Aussie players - so one player got out but so many more are there and we are all the same.
Click to expand...
Australia see Cricket, a team sports, as team sports.

In sub continent people see Cricket with individuals in it.
 
Babar scores 1 off 7 balls today... LOL

He must be thinking that he made a big mistake... This is embarassing performance now.
 
Ponting the other day was like he’d still pick Babar for this crunch match because he’d come out to play with a chip on his shoulder; but little does he know, this guy just doesn’t care, he’s set in his ways, extremely timid and will do nothing to change what a cowardly batsman he is.

This BBL should be a big wake up call for Babar but it wont be, so in his demented universe this tournament was a mistake, because it exposed the weaknesses he refuses to work on. In Babar’s world he’s already the finished article as a batter & his delusional fans lap up his mediocre performances.

As for his Batting today, he faced something like 6 or 7 deliveries, and from ball one; terrible body language, no urgency at all, didn’t look to take it to the opposition remotely and stood well within his guarded shell.

After everything that has happened, having a modern great like Steven Smith’s mentorship to, he doesn’t look to me like he wants to get better, and if this doesn’t motivate him, nothing will.
 
AS PER REPORTS:
Babar Azam reportedly told his Sydney Sixers teammates that he felt “disrespected” by Steve Smith’s refusal to take a single during a BBL 15 match, leading to visible frustration and dressing room tension.
 
BouncerGuy said:
AS PER REPORTS:
Babar Azam reportedly told his Sydney Sixers teammates that he felt “disrespected” by Steve Smith’s refusal to take a single during a BBL 15 match, leading to visible frustration and dressing room tension.
Click to expand...

It's important that he doesn't make a big deal out of this.

In a way, he is flying the flag for sub-continental cricket over there.
 
BouncerGuy said:
AS PER REPORTS:
Babar Azam reportedly told his Sydney Sixers teammates that he felt “disrespected” by Steve Smith’s refusal to take a single during a BBL 15 match, leading to visible frustration and dressing room tension.
Click to expand...
He should stop talking and actually score some runs.
 
BouncerGuy said:
AS PER REPORTS:
Babar Azam reportedly told his Sydney Sixers teammates that he felt “disrespected” by Steve Smith’s refusal to take a single during a BBL 15 match, leading to visible frustration and dressing room tension.
Click to expand...
Sam Curran denied Steve Smith an easy 2 against left arm spinner because he wanted to have the favourable match up

Don’t see Smith making a big fuss out of it do we?
 
BouncerGuy said:
AS PER REPORTS:
Babar Azam reportedly told his Sydney Sixers teammates that he felt “disrespected” by Steve Smith’s refusal to take a single during a BBL 15 match, leading to visible frustration and dressing room tension.
Click to expand...
It was in the best interest of the team. Personal gains shall be kept aside and team shall be prioritized.
 
shaz619 said:
Ponting the other day was like he’d still pick Babar for this crunch match because he’d come out to play with a chip on his shoulder; but little does he know, this guy just doesn’t care, he’s set in his ways, extremely timid and will do nothing to change what a cowardly batsman he is.

This BBL should be a big wake up call for Babar but it wont be, so in his demented universe this tournament was a mistake, because it exposed the weaknesses he refuses to work on. In Babar’s world he’s already the finished article as a batter & his delusional fans lap up his mediocre performances.

As for his Batting today, he faced something like 6 or 7 deliveries, and from ball one; terrible body language, no urgency at all, didn’t look to take it to the opposition remotely and stood well within his guarded shell.

After everything that has happened, having a modern great like Steven Smith’s mentorship to, he doesn’t look to me like he wants to get better, and if this doesn’t motivate him, nothing will.
Click to expand...
Ponting is judging him by his own standards. Little does he know what Babar actually is
 
BouncerGuy said:
AS PER REPORTS:
Babar Azam reportedly told his Sydney Sixers teammates that he felt “disrespected” by Steve Smith’s refusal to take a single during a BBL 15 match, leading to visible frustration and dressing room tension.
Click to expand...
Lol man stop embarrassing yourself and your so called fans.
Why did you play with so much selfishness. Take a hard look in the mirror mr. Zimbabar.
 
They should now know bbL isnt just another t20 league wer u go and get some money and play and come back

Your performance is seriously dissected there and it doesn’t matter to them who are you
 
Both wanted to make their name in the game other than cricket, they initially thought BBL must be boxing league, but sadly for them it turned out to be cricket
 
@Rana to Babar and Rizwan: :yk :inti

images
 
cricketjoshila said:
Who are the other Pakistanis in bbl and how are they doing?
Click to expand...
Haris Rauf has been excellent
Zaman Khan excellent
Hassan Ali steady and ok
Shadab was doing well but recalled for international
Babar and Rizwan very very bad
Shaheen was poor and got injured
 
WHERE is the option, "They deservedly got a chance to get to see the mirror?"
 
What happened between Babar and Smith?

Did Smith refuse a single in order to take strike?

If true then this was very disrespectful from Smith. I hope Babar makes a official complaint.
 
Raja Ishtiaq said:
What happened between Babar and Smith?

Did Smith refuse a single in order to take strike?

If true then this was very disrespectful from Smith. I hope Babar makes a official complaint.
Click to expand...

Yep, Smith denied Babar the single and then got out first ball in the power surge.

Babar went on to score 100 off 40 something balls.
 
As we reflect on the recent BBL, it's clear that our Pakistani pair faced an unsuccessful run in Australia. This wasn't the first time our batters have struggled on the bouncy Aussie tracks, and it most certainly won't be the last. However, credit must be given to them for not shying away from the competition, showing resilience and determination.

Now, as they move forward, it's crucial for them to go back to the drawing board. They need to rethink their preparations, game plans, and the skill sets required to thrive on such pitches and keep pace with the modern game. This reflection and re-evaluation will be key in ensuring their future success.
 
gazza619 said:
As we reflect on the recent BBL, it's clear that our Pakistani pair faced an unsuccessful run in Australia. This wasn't the first time our batters have struggled on the bouncy Aussie tracks, and it most certainly won't be the last. However, credit must be given to them for not shying away from the competition, showing resilience and determination.

Now, as they move forward, it's crucial for them to go back to the drawing board. They need to rethink their preparations, game plans, and the skill sets required to thrive on such pitches and keep pace with the modern game. This reflection and re-evaluation will be key in ensuring their future success.
Click to expand...
Ok
 

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gazza619 said:
This wasn't the first time our batters have struggled on the bouncy Aussie tracks, and it most certainly won't be the last. However, credit must be given to them for not shying away from the competition, showing resilience and determination.
Click to expand...

You’re acting as if Babar and Rizwan have gone to Australia to face the likes of Cummins, Starc, McGrath and etc.

The bottom line is they got schooled by domestic bowlers.

Also, this isn’t the first time where Babar has been schooled in Australia. His strike rate in the 2022 WT20 was less than a run a ball. His first test match series in Australia wasn’t good either.

You would expect him to look at last half decent against Australian domestic bowlers by now. So no they don’t deserve any credit for turning up and showing courage. They turned up merely for the dollar as it’s quite easy to see that they have made no effort to integrate with the squad let alone prepare for this tournament.
 
topspin said:
They turned up merely for the dollar as it’s quite easy to see that they have made no effort to integrate with the squad let alone prepare for this tournament.
Click to expand...
Not a fair assessment at all. The performances were beyond expectations but you can’t say what you just said there.
 
BouncerGuy said:
AS PER REPORTS:
Babar Azam reportedly told his Sydney Sixers teammates that he felt “disrespected” by Steve Smith’s refusal to take a single during a BBL 15 match, leading to visible frustration and dressing room tension.
Click to expand...
Why he felt disrespected only when he was actually humiliated by Smith and the fact he failed twice right after this incident surely tell it hit him mentally , May be this ego destroying humiliation will make him a player we always dreamt of?
 
It was clear to me that the Aussies had an agenda with Pakistani muslim cricketers and were only interested in embarrassing them at every possible moment. Its just that through their own poor performances that they made things worse. Australians are treated nicely in our leagues even at times when they don't win matches. But we never humiliate them in a manner they humiliated international cricketers some of whom have been recepients of ICC honours in the past.
 
gazza619 said:
Not a fair assessment at all. The performances were beyond expectations but you can’t say what you just said there.
Click to expand...

With Babar, I’m not buying that. It wasn’t that long ago when you proposed for Babar to be “man of series”. Even if you were being biased, you obviously approved of Babar’s performances otherwise you wouldn’t have said it.
 
Raja Ishtiaq said:
Guys be watching full BBL games which take place around midnight in the UK but I'm the freshie apparently 🤣

Either than or they are bums with all the time on their hands.
Click to expand...

Yes it checks out when one considers your choice of display pic, “official complaint” and the grammar your last sentence epitomises that. But somehow you expect us to believe you are a lawyer? 🤣🤣🤣

It’s easy to work out what you are with your style.

FYI, I’ve not seen one ball live from this year’s BBL. I get all my info from PP. I don’t make time to watch the frauds that you support.
 
Even Kholi and Sharma have struggled in Aus see how they got embarrassed in the test series vs Aus last year.Babar and Rizwan suddenly went from low bounce pitches to bouncy pitches and without time to acclimatize this was bound to happen. Babar still managed 3 match winning knocks with 2 50s. Riz has been more disappointing but he is a keeper and should be judged on his primary discipline first.
 
topspin said:
Yes it checks out when one considers your choice of display pic, “official complaint” and the grammar your last sentence epitomises that. But somehow you expect us to believe you are a lawyer? 🤣🤣🤣

It’s easy to work out what you are with your style.

FYI, I’ve not seen one ball live from this year’s BBL. I get all my info from PP. I don’t make time to watch the frauds that you support.
Click to expand...

Notice how your the only one obsessed with rizwans photo on this forum? Lol yeah I think someone needs to start being honest with themselves and their preferences (if you know what I mean lol)

And no such thing as Lawyer in the UK. It's Solicitor. Do you guys know anything?
:facepalm

I'm stuck chatting with imbeciles.

And stop lying. Your up to date with everything going on in BBL as you have nothing going on in your life lol.
 
gazza619 said:
As we reflect on the recent BBL, it's clear that our Pakistani pair faced an unsuccessful run in Australia. This wasn't the first time our batters have struggled on the bouncy Aussie tracks, and it most certainly won't be the last. However, credit must be given to them for not shying away from the competition, showing resilience and determination.

Now, as they move forward, it's crucial for them to go back to the drawing board. They need to rethink their preparations, game plans, and the skill sets required to thrive on such pitches and keep pace with the modern game. This reflection and re-evaluation will be key in ensuring their future success.
Click to expand...

What was the other option?
 
Can the few folks now please stop defending the duo with ridiculous nonsensical arguments? It's getting annoying now and it is very clear that these arguments are only being made because you guys just do not want your egos to be hurt.

Babar and Rizwan had a horrible horrible BBL and that is because they both are not good T20 players - that is the end of it.

Now, coming to the topic:

Any smart cricketer, in place of Babar/Rizwan, would now realize that it was a mistake as it brought down their stock value by A LOT. However, Babar and Rizwan seem to be very extremely judges of the game. They still do not have the slightest clue how T20s are being played, and I said this because only a clueless person would keep repeating the same failed approach in every game and expect different results.

Babar and Rizwan do not think that they need to change their ways. They are in a delusion that the way they play is perfectly fine. Given that they have such a delusional mindset, it is highly doubtful that they recognize their stints at BBL as major flops.
 
topspin said:
With Babar, I’m not buying that. It wasn’t that long ago when you proposed for Babar to be “man of series”. Even if you were being biased, you obviously approved of Babar’s performances otherwise you wouldn’t have said it.
Click to expand...
I was having a laugh when I said make Babar man of the series. You should know that I openly back Babar whenever I need to without giving a toss about what others think. On that occasion it was a joke.
 
gazza619 said:
Cowardly option would have been not to put their name forward in the BBL and instead play the kachra level BPL.
Click to expand...
They didn’t know that this is the fate that awaited them. They were paid a handsome amount.

No credit is due here
 
Snowflake said:
They didn’t know that this is the fate that awaited them. They were paid a handsome amount.

No credit is due here
Click to expand...
Exactly. It’s not like they wrote their final messages and wishes to their loved ones before going here.

Their PR were under the impression that both of them will dominate the competition. You just need to watch Tanveer Ahmed and Basit Ali’s vlogs to get a sense of what they were hoping would happen here
 
Snowflake said:
They didn’t know that this is the fate that awaited them. They were paid a handsome amount.

No credit is due here
Click to expand...
Of course they were paid. They are professionals.

They challenged themselves. It didnt pay off. Such is life. No crime was committed.
 
topspin said:
But why didn’t you pick one of him batting. You picked one with a magenta colour top outside of a cricket field like this some kind of flex. The only flex you’re doing here is flexing who’s the most fresh off the boat on PP.



Joke is on you. In the UK, a lawyer is the broad term, which consists of two divisions; solicitors and barristers.



Your support for Babar, Rizwan and Misbah sums up your lack of intellect, so if I was you I would avoid making assumptions about someone’s working background because that can easily backfire on you.

I don’t care if you believe me but I’ve never watched one ball live of BBL. Even if it was on weekends and evenings, I still wouldn’t watch it because as I’ve said before why would I make time for the frauds you support? Make it make sense
Click to expand...
I don’t understand why he randomly had to reveal to us all that he’s a lawyer on the same evening Rizwan was retired out by Renegades!

I think he went into some deep trauma and woke up with a delusion of being something he isn’t.
 
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