The career of Pakistan’s former captain Babar Azam continues to spark debates among retired cricketers, and Azam Khan believes he knows the real reason behind it: jealousy.

 

In a candid conversation on a recent Podcast, Azam Khan said many ex-cricketers praise or criticise Babar for one simple reason. They struggle to accept his massive success.

 

“He is the biggest batting talent we have produced in the last ten years. Pakistan cricket was famous because of fast bowling, but this guy made it famous because of batting,” Azam Khan said.

 

He also pointed out how Babar rose to the top without the kind of legendary support system other greats enjoyed.

 

“When Virat Kohli started, he had all these legends around him VVS Laxman, Sachin Tendulkar, Sehwag, and Dhoni. Who was there for Babar Azam? No one,” he observed. 

 

“In the last ten years, it was Shahid Afridi who had the stardom that compelled people to watch him play. Now it’s Babar. When he comes in to bat, people cheer for him and I think some ex-players cannot digest that. They could have been this big had social media existed back then too,” he pointed out. 

 

Babar has regularly absorbed criticism from former cricketers like Mohammad Amir, Ahmed Shahzad, Imad Wasim and Shoaib Akhtar. They have often targeted his strike rate, captaincy choices and playing style.

 

Despite the negativity, Babar remains one of the most admired batters in world cricket. He recently became the highest run-scorer in T20Is and teams like the Sydney Sixers have given him superstar treatment ahead of the Big Bash League.

 

That attention grew even further after the Sydney Sixers rolled out a grand welcome for him ahead of the upcoming Big Bash League season. The franchise announced a special fan zone called Babaristan, designed to celebrate one of the world’s finest batters.

 

The Sixers revealed the tribute through their social media accounts with the caption, “Introducing Babaristan, A Fan Zone Like No Other.” The announcement created instant excitement among cricket fans in both Australia and Pakistan.

 

In its official statement, the franchise said, “We’re celebrating cricket culture like never before with Babaristan, a brand-new Sixers fan zone dedicated to welcoming one of the world’s greatest cricketers, Babar Azam.”

 

Fans will get their first look at Babaristan on December 17, when the Sixers face the Adelaide Strikers in their opening match, which will also mark Babar’s long-awaited BBL debut.

 

The 15th edition of the Big Bash League will feature 44 matches from December 14, 2025, to January 25, 2026. Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers will meet in the opening match at Perth Stadium.