Cooper Connolly has provided a crucial breakthrough for Perth Scorchers by dismissing Sydney Sixers opener Babar Azam for a duck in the ongoing Big Bash League 2025-26 Qualifier at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Tuesday, January 20.
Cooper Connolly strikes early after Babar Azam is out on duck
Babar Azam was trusted for the BBL 2025-26 Qualifiers despite his inconsistent performances, but he failed to live up to the expectations. The former Pakistan captain could only last one ball before making a fool of himself on the second ball while chasing Sydney Sixers in Perth.
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Connolly bowled a full ball outside the off stump. Babar moved forward to play the drive, but the ball went away after being pitched. The right-handed batsman missed the ball completely and Perth Scorchers wicketkeeper Josh Inglis’s light-fastening work behind the wicket did the rest.
Josh Inglis surprises Babar Azam with lightning fast stumping in Perth
As soon as the ball passed the bat, Inglis collected it cleanly and dropped the bails within seconds. At that time, Babar’s front foot was still slightly in the air and had not gone back into the crease. It was very close, just by a small margin, but Inglis was quicker and was certain that Babar was out.
The umpires checked from all angles, and Babar was given stumpings as the Pakistani star returned to the pavilion after being out for a duck on two balls in the BBL 2025-26 Qualifier against Perth Scorchers at the Optus Stadium in Perth.
It’s a duck for Babar Azam
Big decision of the third umpire. #bbl15 pic.twitter.com/mvSDF5ITGJ
– KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) 20 January 2026
to be continued…
