Australian great Mark Waugh has called for a major change in the Sydney Sixers batting line up, saying the team relies too heavily on Steve Smith.
As per the details, Waugh made the comments during Big Bash League (BBL) broadcast before the rain-delayed match between Melbourne Stars and Hobart Hurricanes, whose winner will face the Sixers for a spot in the final.
“I think a bit of tough love. I think they need to rejiggle their batting because at the moment it is almost totally relying on Steve Smith,” Waugh said.
“Sam Curran got them out of jail in another game. He is gone. So, at the moment there are not a lot of players in form,” he said and suggested bringing in Australia’s Moises Henriques or Jordan Silk while making a difficult decision regarding Pakistani batter Babar Azam.
“I’m going to have to drop Babar Azam.”
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 21, 2026
Mark Waugh believes the Sydney Sixers need to adjust their side if they want to win #BBL15. pic.twitter.com/9uT0S81Hbc
Waugh further said, “Unfortunately, I am going to have to drop Babar Azam. I do not think he has done enough at the top of the order. I know he is world class, but you are thinking about winning this tournament. And so far, he just has not done it.”
“So, I am thinking about a new opener. You can either have Moises Henriques open or bring in Daniel Hughes or Jordan Silk. One of those two heads. That is the way I am thinking.”
The comments come after lackluster performance by a majority of Pakistani cricketers during BBL 15.
Babar joined Sydney Sixers for the ongoing season and has scored 202 runs in 11 matches, including two fifties, with a strike rate of 103.06 and an average of 22.44.