Babar Azam. [Source – @Sixersbbl/X]
The Sydney Sixers, three-time BBL champions, enter BBL15 with a strong core, renewed intent, and growing optimism ahead of their December 14 opener against the Perth Scorchers. They finished second in the league stage last season but fell short of reaching the final after losing to the Sydney Thunder.
Chasing a fourth title, the Sixers must overcome venue-to-venue inconsistency and strengthen their execution in some particular phases. Their experience, depth, and tactical clarity remain defining assets, but rising competition means consistency and adaptability will determine how far their 2025–26 campaign ultimately goes.
Sydney Sixers’ squad for BBL 2025-26
Moises Henriques, Sean Abbott, Babar Azam, Jafer Chohan, Sam Curran, Joel Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Ben Manenti, Todd Murphy, Mitch Perry, Josh Philippe (wk), Kane Richardson, Lachlan Shaw (wk), Jordan Silk, Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc.
Strengths of Sydney Sixers
1. Pace-bowling all-rounders’ depth: A deep roster of pace-bowling all-rounders gives the Sydney Sixers a clear structural edge heading into BBL15. Their squad is built around multi-dimensional players like Hayden Kerr, Jack Edwards, and Sam Curran, who contribute impactful overs and valuable lower-order runs.
Key pillars of this strength include:
Sam Curran’s arrival (late) bolsters last season’s all-round depth
- Currently striking at 167.1 in death overs in T20s in 2025.
- Adds to a finishing unit that already operated at a 176.56 strike-rate in the death overs last season.
- Player of the Series in the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, taking 18 wickets in Australia.
- Provides left-arm variation and a proven match-winner in big tournaments; strengthens both powerplay and death bowling.
2. Diverse, phase-specific pace bowling options: The Sixers enter BBL15 with one of the most well-distributed pace attacks across all phases of T20 cricket. Their recruitment and existing core, with Mitchell Starc also aiming to return to the BBL in the latter half of the season, gives them specialists for the powerplay, middle overs, and death.
Key drivers of this strength:
Kane Richardson’s addition
- A genuine BBL legend in death-overs bowling.
- 29 death-overs wickets since COVID-19, 4th highest in the tournament.
Ben Dwarshuis and Sean Abbott new-ball bowling
- Continues to be one of the league’s most reliable new-ball strikers.
- Has impressed with the new ball for Australia this year, reinforcing his PP credentials.
- With Richardson’s arrival, Abbott’s inconsistent death overs’ duty got a rest.
Sam Curran solves middle-overs’ bowling
- A significant boost in middle-overs where the Sixers struck a wicket at 22.22 last season.
- Curran has taken 18 wickets at a strike-rate of 13.3 in overs 12–16 this year across T20 leagues.
Weaknesses of Sydney Sixers
1. Lack of fire-power at the top: Powerplay batting remains the Sydney Sixers’ biggest concern heading into BBL15. Last season, their top order struggled to generate momentum early, averaging 28.87 with a strike rate of just 120.28.
Key factors behind this weakness:
Babar Azam’s slow scoring in the powerplay
- SR 106.1 in T20Is in Australia; average 20.
- In 2025 powerplay batting for Pakistan – SR 89.2, average 11
Steve Smith’s unavailability
Strike-rate of Sydney Sixers’ batters inside the powerplay last season
PlayersSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableStrike-rateSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableJordan SilkSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table129.41SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableJosh PhilippeSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table109.47SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableJack EdwardsSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table102.33Moises HenriquesSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table65SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table
2. Limited spin depth: The Sixers’ spin department lacks both experience and proven consistency, leaving them with a noticeable weakness during the middle-overs, with Sam Curran happens to arrive late in the tournament.
Key points:
Todd Murphy’s low-impact return last season
- Managed only 6 wickets in 9 games last edition.
Jafer Chohan’s inexperience remains a concern
- Still early in his development curve and unconvincing 2025 form.
Opportunities
1. Jack Edwards set for breakout all-rounder season
Jack Edwards has a real opening to emerge as a match-winning pace-bowling all-rounder this season. His improved batting, growing confidence with the ball give him the foundations of a Cameron Green-type role, making BBL15 a genuine breakout window for him.
2. Smith and Babar eye T20 World Cup 2026 audition
For Steve Smith and Babar Azam, BBL15 arrives as a crucial audition ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup. Smith can reinforce his powerplay value once available, while Babar has the opportunity to reshape his power game at the top.
Threats
1. Sam Curran unsure availability
Sam Curran’s arrival in the latter half of the tournament should limit how costly his early absence becomes, but until then the Sixers’ thin spin options and reliance on seamers, including Sean Abbott, who leaked 11 an over last season, remain a concern.
2. Powerplay tempo risk
If the Australian top order batters continues to lack powerplay firepower with the absence of Steve Smith, over-reliance on Babar Azam becomes risky, given his 89.2 strike rate and 11 average in T20I powerplays this year and a similarly subdued 100 SR in Pakistan’s franchise league in 2025.
Sydney Sixers probable XI for BBL 2025-26
Babar Azam, Josh Philippe (wk), Moises Henriques (c), Jordan Silk, Daniel Hughes, Sam Curran, Jack Edwards, Sean Abbot, Todd Murphy, Kane Richardson and Ben Dwarshius.
Expected Finish: Runners-up
