Babar vs Shaheen Showdown Set to Headline BBL 15 as Full Schedule Unveiled originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Big Bash League (BBL) is back with a bang as the full fixture list for its 15th edition has been released, promising 44 action-packed matches from December 14, 2025 to January 25, 2026. Among the most anticipated storylines of the season is the electrifying clash between Pakistan’s batting maestro Babar Azam and speed sensation Shaheen Shah Afridi.
The tournament will open with a marquee matchup at Perth Stadium, where the Perth Scorchers take on the Sydney Sixers. Babar Azam will make his BBL debut in this opener, adding international star power to the Sixers lineup. His face-off later in the season against compatriot and Heat spearhead Shaheen Afridi is already being dubbed the headline act of the league.
Shaheen, the No.1 pick in this year’s BBL draft, will lead the pace attack for Brisbane Heat and is expected to be a game-changer throughout the tournament.
BBL General Manager Alistair Dobson called this season “the one we’ve been waiting a long time for,” citing the optimized scheduling window and the availability of top-tier international and domestic stars. With the Ashes concluding in early January, Australian Test regulars including Steve Smith, Travis Head, and Josh Inglis are all slated to feature in the latter stages of the BBL.
Designed with fans in mind, the league’s schedule ensures that each team plays a home game within the first 10 days, excluding only Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from the nightly action. Key dates include a Boxing Day double-header and a rematch between the Sydney Thunder and Hobart Hurricanes on December 16.
Melbourne franchises will see early adjustments: the Renegades start their campaign in Geelong due to pitch recovery at Marvel Stadium, while the Stars will host the Thunder in Canberra on December 28.
In a boost to squad depth, each club will once again be allowed to sign two marquee players on a supplementary list, following the successful model that brought stars like Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins into the fray last year.
The four-game finals series will kick off with the Qualifier on January 20 and conclude with the BBL 15 Final on Sunday, January 25.
With elite talent, thrilling fixtures, and blockbuster matchups like Babar vs Shaheen on the horizon, BBL 15 is shaping up to be a landmark season for the league.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.