Babar Azam is widely recognised as the No.1 highest-paid overseas player in the BBL 2025–26 season, and there are clear reasons behind his top position — even though many Platinum players earn around the same salary bracket. Here is why Babar stands above everyone else:
1. Signed Under the Highest Platinum Category (Full Availability)
Babar Azam is one of the few overseas players who offered full-season availability, allowing him to qualify for the maximum salary bracket offered by the BBL.
- Platinum (Full Availability) Range: Up to AUD 420,000
- Standard Platinum Draft Range: AUD 270,000
While most Platinum players fall into the AUD 270,000 bracket, Babar’s full-season commitment pushes him into the top slab of the Platinum category, making him the costliest marquee signing for the 2025–26 season.
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2. He Generates the Highest Global Viewership & Brand Value
Babar Azam is one of the most-followed T20 stars in the world, especially across India, Pakistan, Australia, UAE, and UK.
His signing brings:
- Massive TV viewership
- Strong social media engagement
- A huge Asian cricket audience
- Increased sponsorship attention
This commercial value makes him the highest-impact overseas signing, justifying his No.1 position financially.
3. Sydney Sixers Treated Him as Their Primary Marquee Import
The Sixers picked Babar as a premium top-order anchor, expecting him to be:
- Their batting backbone
- Their global marketing face
- Their long-term overseas brand ambassador
Because of this, Babar’s contract is structured at the highest tier, placing him ahead of other international players.
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4. His Estimated Salary Is Higher Than Other Platinum Players
- Babar Azam’s estimated salary: AUD 300,000+
- Other overseas Platinum players: AUD 270,000
This slight but important difference — combined with full-season availability — makes him the No.1 highest-earning name in BBL 2025–26.
5. Media & Draft Reports Consistently Rank Him as the Top Overseas Signing
Every major salary-based ranking places Babar as:
- The biggest headline signing
- The costliest overseas pick
- The most valuable international player for BBL 2025–26
This solidifies his position as the highest-paid player of the season.
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Summary
Babar Azam is No.1 because:
- He is in the highest Platinum earning tier
- He is fully available for the entire season
- His market value is higher than any other overseas player
- His estimated payout is higher than the standard AUD 270k
- He is the biggest global star signed in BBL 2025–26
Therefore, even though some players earn similar Platinum amounts, Babar remains the top-paid and most valuable signing of the season.
