Babar Azam Struggles Continue as Peter Siddle Dominates in Stars vs Sixers Clash

The Big Bash League (BBL) season 15 continued to deliver high stakes drama on December 26, 2025, as the Sydney Sixers faced off against the Melbourne Stars at the Sydney Cricket Ground. While the holiday crowd was buzzing with anticipation for a masterclass from global superstar Babar Azam, the narrative of the match was ultimately stolen by a veteran who refuses to age. Peter Siddle, the evergreen "Banana Man" of Australian cricket, produced a vintage bowling display that proved he still has the skill to dismantle modern batting lineups, even as the Stars fell short of a victory.

The Sydney Sixers, known for their tactical consistency and home ground dominance, managed to secure a hard fought 12 run victory. However, the post match discussions centered heavily on the contrasting fortunes of two legendary figures: the struggling Babar Azam and the reinvigorated Peter Siddle. For the Stars, it was a night of missed opportunities and a reminder that star power alone does not guarantee success in the shortest format of the game.

The Babar Azam Conundrum

One of the most talked about storylines of the 2025 BBL season has been the form of Babar Azam. Signed as a marquee player to bolster the Stars' top order, the Pakistani maestro has found the bouncy, pace friendly Australian tracks difficult to navigate this summer. Facing a disciplined Sixers attack led by Sean Abbott and Ben Dwarshuis, Babar looked uncharacteristically tentative.

Babar's innings lasted just 14 deliveries, during which he struggled to find the middle of the bat. He was eventually undone by a clever slower ball from Dwarshuis, top edging a pull shot to mid on where Moises Henriques took a comfortable catch. This latest "miss" adds to a string of low scores for Babar, raising questions about his adaptation to the aggressive nature of the Big Bash. While his class is permanent, his current "rut" is becoming a significant concern for a Melbourne Stars side desperate for stability at the top.

Peter Siddle: The Master of the Craft

While the younger stars struggled, 41 year old Peter Siddle provided a masterclass in T20 bowling. Representing the Stars, Siddle utilized his decades of experience to exploit the slightly sticky SCG surface. He finished his four-over spell with remarkable figures of 3-18, including the wickets of Josh Philippe and James Vince.

Siddle's ability to vary his pace and hit the "hole" at the death was a reminder of why he remains one of the most respected figures in the domestic circuit. His dismissal of Vince was particularly impressive a sharp, dipping yorker that beat the English veteran for pace and swing. Despite the defeat, Siddle's performance was a silver lining for Melbourne and a definitive statement that age is just a number when it comes to technical execution and mental toughness.

Match Flow and Key Moments

The Sixers, batting first, managed to scrap their way to a total of 164-7. It was an innings of starts rather than big scores, with Daniel Hughes providing a steady 42 and Moises Henriques chipping in with a vital 31 in the middle overs. The Sixers' ability to rotate strike against the spin of Adam Zampa ensured they kept the scoreboard ticking even when boundaries were hard to come by.

In response, the Stars' chase was hampered by the early loss of Babar Azam and Marcus Stoinis. Glenn Maxwell provided a glimmer of hope with a whirlwind 35 off 19 balls, including three massive sixes over cow corner. However, once Maxwell fell to a brilliant diving catch by Steve O'Keefe on the boundary, the momentum shifted back to the men in magenta. The Stars eventually finished on 152-9, falling 12 runs short as Sean Abbott closed out the final over with clinical precision.

For the Sydney Sixers, this win consolidates their position in the top three of the BBL table. Their blueprint of disciplined bowling and collective batting continues to yield results. For the Melbourne Stars, the path forward is more complicated. They must find a way to get Babar Azam back into form while ensuring that the brilliant individual efforts of players like Peter Siddle aren't wasted.

As the BBL moves into the intensive January period, the "Siddle Factor" will remain a key asset for the Stars. If they can pair his veteran accuracy with a firing top order, they remain a dangerous dark horse. For now, the Sydney Sixers celebrate a Boxing Day victory that reinforces their status as the kings of the SCG.