Australian pacer Mitchell Starc has joked that he will give up his number 56 jersey at the Sydney Sixers to the former Pakistani skipper Babar Azam, for his higher pay grade alone.
The lighthearted exchange was during a Big Bash League (BBL) ’60 Second Slog’ video segment with Starc and Australian white-ball captain Mitchell Marsh and the two talked about cricket and bantered playfully.
Both Starc and Babar wear 56 for their respective international side. At the Sixers, Starc currently wears the 56 jersey while Babar wears 056.
When Marsh mentioned Babar’s preference of the number, Starc remarked, “I think he’s paid a lot more than I am, so he probably gets it,” emphasising the sense of humour that exists between players.
The segment also had Marsh asking questions of Starc’s performances to ask what swings more – the ball or Starc’s mood after a poor over.
Starc replied with characteristic wit: “Younger Starkey, definitely my mood. Nowadays, probably the ball.” Marsh then teased Starc for being a number one ticket holder at the Greater Western Sydney (GWS) Giants AFL club with his wife, Alyssa Healy.
Starc quickly alleged “What’s it like playing finals? Oh, sorry, you wouldn’t know,” getting laughter along with the jab.
On another note, Marsh’s recent feat of being first “Mitch” to captain an Australian national side saw no ego driven response from Starc. “Not one bit. I was so happy for you,” he said.
Starc, 34, has returned from international duty to be part of the final stages of the BBL and is expected to make his first appearance today against Sydney Thunder.
Meanwhile, Babar has joined Sydney Sixers this season scoring 154 runs in eight games including two fifties at an average of 25.66 and a strike rate of 104.05.
The Pakistani star is also gearing up to make a comeback in his national T20 side for the 2026 World Cup next month.
Also read: Mitchell Starc smashes Wasim Akram’s left-arm bowling record
