The "Babar Azam in BBL" saga took its most dramatic turn yet on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. In the high-stakes BBL|15 Qualifier against the Perth Scorchers, the Pakistani star was dismissed for a second-ball duck, sending shockwaves through social media and providing a fresh wave of meme material for fans in India and Australia.
Coming off the back of the "denied single" controversy with Steve Smith, all eyes were on Babar to deliver a match-winning "revenge" knock. Instead, the "King" fell before he could even get off the mark.
🦆 The Dismissal: A Millimetre Heartbreak
Chasing a target of 148 at a sweltering Optus Stadium, the Sydney Sixers needed a solid start. However, the drama unfolded in the very first over:
The Bowler: Young sensation Cooper Connolly (Perth Scorchers).
The Ball: A flighted delivery that drew Babar forward into a drive. The ball turned just enough to beat the bat.
The Stumping: Wicketkeeper Josh Inglis was lightning fast. After a lengthy review by the third umpire, Babar’s foot was found to be in the air by a mere millimetre.
The Result: Out for 0 (2 balls).
The Sydney Sixers never recovered from the early blow, collapsing to 99 all out and losing by 48 runs.
🎭 The Meme-Fest: "Ghante ka King" Trends
The duck has triggered a massive trolling campaign across social media platforms, particularly in India and Australia.
"Revenge Loading... Error 404": Following his visible frustration at Steve Smith last week, fans mocked Babar for failing to "walk the talk" in a big knockout game.
Strike Rate Worries: With a season strike rate of just 103.06, memes are circulating that Babar "helped" the Sixers' run rate by getting out early.
The "Humiliation" Narrative: Indian media and fans have revitalized the "Ghante ka King" (King of Bells/Fake King) hashtag, contrasting his BBL struggle with the aggressive T20 standards of the league.
📊 Babar’s BBL|15 "Horror" Stats
| Metric | Season Record |
|---|---|
| Innings | 11 |
| Runs | 202 |
| Average | 22.44 |
| Strike Rate | 103.06 |
| High Score | 56 |
| Ducks | 1 (The Qualifier) |
📺 Official Links & Viral Highlights
Witness the dismissal that broke the internet and the subsequent collapse of the Sydney Sixers:
- Official BBL Footage: WATCH: The Millimetre Stumping that Sent Babar Packing
- Match Highlights: Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Sixers Qualifier - Full Highlights
- The "Silver Lining": Despite the duck, Babar took a screamer of a catch earlier in the day to dismiss Cooper Connolly. You can see that rare highlight here: Babar Azam's Diving Catch at Backward Point
The Sydney Sixers now have one last chance to reach the Final via the 'Challenger' match. Do you think Babar should be dropped or promoted to open for that do-or-die game?