MS vs SS | Twitter impressed as Stonis executes perfect script to trap Babar with mind games

‌Melbourne Stars put on an underwhelming display with the bat after being put in by the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League game in Melbourne on Thursday. The home side were skittled out for just 128 with skipper Marcus Stoinis and Blake Macdonald jointly top scoring for them with 33 runs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Meanwhile, Ben Dwarshuis was the pick among the visitors’ bowlers with a spell of 4/13 in 3.5 overs, with medium pacer Jack Edwards chipping in with three wickets.

The Sixers got off to a good start with skipper Moises Henriques and Babar Azam adding 20 runs in the first two overs. Skipper Stoinis was well aware that the visitors might have a walk in the park with a sub-par target in front of them before falling back to the Aussies’ favourite plan B, sledging.

He was very vocal against Babar as he used every opportunity to get near the batter and break his rhythm with sharp words. Though the Pakistan batter looked unperturbed initially, he finally fell to the all-rounder’s plan, who came on to bowl in the seventh over of the game.

After playing two dot balls first up, the pressure was on the batter as Stoinis kept it full and straight yet again. And he was rewarded this time as the ball seamed in a touch to beat the willow and hit him in front of the leg stump.

The umpire had no hesitation in raising his finger as Stoinis was quick to give him a vocal send-off. Just as Babar walked back, the Stars’ skipper gave a cheeky smile signalling his victory in the mental battle. Twitter was impressed with Stoinis’ tactics to get under the skin of the Sixers’ batter before getting him eventually.

Removed!

Marcus Stoinis removes Babar Azam, and doesn't he love that 👀 #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/eyAAOhIRsH

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 8, 2026

Crying as usual

BABAR took his catch and he started crying as usual 😭 https://t.co/MIlz9JWdNt

— DR EB (@Silly_MID__ON) January 8, 2026

Sledged

the concept of letting a medium pacer sledge you after you get rushed by a bouncer, then getting out to him for a massive 0(3) as revenge. you will never be that guy, babar.



pic.twitter.com/qwst7gdyHc

— ħ (@shaheenhive) January 8, 2026

Jokers

🚨🚨 Babar Azam scored 14 runs off 17 balls



- Australia has brought jokers like Babar Azam, Rizwan & Shaheen to humiliate them in front of their local kids🤣😭



- They are biggest superstar of Pak, who can't even perform in domestic leagues outside Pak🤡pic.twitter.com/XYmq3yXqms

— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) January 8, 2026

Noice

Babar Azam in BBL (So far)



Innings : 7

Runs : 145

Avg : 24.16

SR : 108.2 🔥



Another day, Another Top knock from Bobby!#BBL15 pic.twitter.com/3vtYkxoyLH

— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) January 8, 2026

Embarassing

🚨An embarrassing moment for Babar Azam🚨

Pakistan’s best batter Babar Azam can’t even play the bowling of part-timer Marcus Stoinis. pic.twitter.com/DLLH4YP9nz

— MuFFatLal Bohra (@arshdeep3444) January 8, 2026

Consecutive

Babar is dancing against 41 year old pacer Peter Siddle and played 4 consecutive dot balls and his fans want him to play another T20wc. 😂🔔 pic.twitter.com/qJWUXS6RLF

— Daniyal (@Daniyal550) January 8, 2026

Gone

Glenn Maxwell GONE for 1, and caught by Babar Azam 😮 #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/kbQO6yGB3x

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 8, 2026

Cooked

Marcus Stoinis just cooked overhyped Babar Azam in BBL. 🍿 pic.twitter.com/xYrRYfY1PA

— Bash (@bashhh_36) January 8, 2026

Lovely

Babar Azam in BBL this season:

-2(5)

-9(10)

-58(42)

-2(7)

-58(46)

-2(7)

-14(17)



Total 145 runs in just 134 balls with a mouthwatering srike rate- 108 🔥🥵 pic.twitter.com/1HuxobtnFk

— TukTuk Academy (@TukTuk_Academy) January 8, 2026