Marcus Stoinis gives Babar Azam fiery send-off in BBL clash

MELBOURNE: Melbourne Stars' captain Marcus Stoinis lost his cool after dismissing Sydney Sixers' star batter Babar Azam during their Big Bash League (BBL) match here at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday.

The incident occurred on the third delivery of the seventh over when Stoinis bowled a fast at a fuller length, which shaped slightly in after impact, breaching Babar's defences.

The right-handed batter attempted to play across the line on the front foot and closed the face of the bat too early, and thus missed the line and length of the ball completely, resulting in it clipping his front leg.

Stoinis immediately roared to appeal and immediately convinced the on-field umpire, who lifted his index finger to deem Babar as out and the Stars' captain, fuelled with enthusiasm, was heard saying, "See you later Babar! See you later, brother!"

Meanwhile, the star batter, visibly frustrated with his shot selection, had a brief discussion with batting partner Josh Philippe before deciding against challenging the decision.

The dismissal marked the end of Babar's struggle at the crease, and he walked back after scoring a scratchy 14 off 17 deliveries, featuring only four.

For the unversed, Babar, who was roped in as a direct signing by Sydney Sixers, has been struggling to find his rhythm in the ongoing tournament as he could accumulate 145 runs in seven innings at a meagre average of 24.16 and a strike rate of 108.20 with the help of two half-centuries.

However, Babar's dismal outing with the bat in the aforementioned fixture did not bother the Sixers as the visitors romped to a comfortable six-wicket victory over the Stars, courtesy of Ben Dwarshuis's four-wicket haul and Philippe's anchoring 35-run knock in the run chase.