Perth Scorchers opened their BBL 2025-26 campaign with a comfortable five-wicket win over Sydney Sixers in a rain-hit opener in Perth. The match was reduced to 11 overs per side, with Scorchers chasing down 114 with five balls to spare.
The spotlight was firmly on Babar Azam, but his much-awaited Big Bash debut ended early. The Pakistan star managed just 2 runs, while fellow opener Daniel Hughes was dismissed for a duck, leaving the Sixers in early trouble.
BABAR AZAM OUT FOR 2!#BBL15 pic.twitter.com/fqRiu8mewK
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 14, 2025
Sydney slipped to 9 for 2 before Jack Edwards and Josh Philippe steadied the innings. Philippe played positively for his 28, while Edwards took control in the later overs with an unbeaten 46 off 23 balls to lift the total to a fighting 113 for 5.
For Perth, Brody Couch was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with two wickets and keeping things tight during the middle phase. The Scorchers also backed their fielding, cutting off boundaries and forcing the Sixers to take risks.
The chase was all about Cooper Connolly. The left-hander played a fearless knock of 59 off 31 balls, smashing three fours and five sixes to put Perth firmly in control of the shortened contest.
Connolly was well supported at different stages, with Finn Allen scoring 16 and Aaron Hardie adding a handy 13. Captain Ashton Turner stayed calm at the end, finishing unbeaten on 16 to see his side home without any late drama.
Speaking after the win, Connolly said, “You are not quite sure what’s going to happen in such games. You go out there trying to play some high-action cricket and it’s good to come out on top.”
He added that the team is focused on building momentum early in the season.
“Good start for us but plenty of cricket to be played. I should have been there at the end. At least we got a win and I’m happy for the team.”
For the Sixers, the loss will sting, especially after a promising recovery with the bat. They will also hope Babar Azam settles quickly, with more opportunities ahead in the tournament.