'He can't put all the responsibility on his partner' - Adam Gilchrist questions Babar Azam's intent during unbeaten fifty vs Renegades in BBL

Published - 01 Jan 2026, 20:33 IST | Updated - 01 Jan 2026, 21:19 IST

Adam Gilchrist stated that Babar Azam should look to be more proactive after the Pakistani star scored a sedate half-century in the Sydney Sixers' six-wicket victory against the Melbourne Renegades.

On Thursday, January 1, the Sydney Sixers were set a target of 165 by the Renegades. Babar Azam, who had scored just 71 runs in his first four innings this season, dug deep and scored an unbeaten 58 off 46 balls, hitting four fours and one six. The right-handed batter reached his half-century off 41 balls. He finished with a strike rate of 126.09, as the Sixers reached home with five balls to spare.

Gilchrist urged the former Pakistan captain not to be content with scoring at a run-a-ball as it puts his batting partners under pressure.

"Babar is not known to have a power-packed game. He is not going to hoick across the line and slog one over the boundary for a six. He needs to be proactive. He can't just think run a ball and put all the responsibility on his batting partner to get the job done," Gilchrist was heard as saying on-air.

Babar, who was recently dropped from Pakistan's squad for the T20I series against Sri Lanka, registered his 97th T20 half-century on Thursday at the Docklands Stadium in Melbourne. Earlier in the day, Sean Abbott bowled a fine spell, bagging three wickets and conceding just 16 runs in four overs. He was subsequently adjudged Player of the Match.

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With this win, the Sixers moved to No. 5 on the points table. They have four points on the board after winning two and losing three games. The Moises Henriques-led side will return to action on Monday, January 5, when they take on Brisbane Heat at the International Sports Stadium in Coffs Harbour.