Finch Applauds Babar Azam’s BBL Signing, Lauds Shaheen Afridi

Former Australian captain Aaron Finch has offered high praise for Pakistani batting star Babar Azam, following his agreement to join the Sydney Sixers for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) season 15.

In a recent discussion, Finch emphasized Babar’s significant standing in global cricket and the value he brings to the competition.

“Among Pakistani players in the BBL draft, no name is more prominent than Babar Azam,” Finch stated.

“He is the foremost figure among Pakistani cricketers. Currently, Babar is arguably the finest player in world cricket and possibly the best of this decade. His performances worldwide have been exceptional, and it will be fantastic for Australian fans to see a superstar of his caliber play in Australia,” he added.

The former opening batsman also commended Pakistan’s leading fast bowler, Shaheen Shah Afridi, who is also participating in the BBL draft.

“Shaheen Shah Afridi is a game-changer and a high-impact player. Every team would be eager to have him. I am looking forward to seeing these top players compete in the Big Bash,” Finch remarked.

It’s worth noting that the Sydney Sixers formally announced Babar’s signing on Friday, marking a landmark acquisition in BBL history.

As per BBL regulations, each team can pre-sign one international player before the official BBL 15 Draft, which is scheduled for Thursday, June 19.

The Sixers seized this opportunity to lock in the services of the Pakistani batting maestro.

Babar, a crucial member of Pakistan’s national team for over ten years, served as captain across all formats from 2019 to 2024.

During his captaincy, Pakistan reached the semi-finals of the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup and were the runners-up in the 2022 edition.

This season marks Babar’s inaugural appearance in the BBL. Sources indicate he was selected in the Platinum category and signed via a pre-draft agreement with compensation exceeding the standard base salary.

While the base price for Platinum players is approximately PKR 7.75 crore, Babar’s deal is reportedly valued at nearly PKR 10 crore, positioning him as one of the highest-paid players in BBL history.