Steve Smith and Babar Azam (Source: X)
Pakistan star Babar Azam was reportedly unhappy with Steve Smith during the Big Bash League (BBL) match between Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder on Friday, January 16, at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The drama unfolded in the 11th over of the Sixers’ innings, the team’s designated Power Surge. Unlike the standard four-over powerplay at the start of the innings, the Power Surge allows teams to exploit fielding restrictions in the second half of the innings.
Babar, batting on 47 from 38 balls with seven boundaries, was ready to rotate the strike when Steve Smith made a bold decision to deny him a single.
Smith later explained that he wanted to be on strike for the first over of the Power Surge to maximise scoring opportunities, particularly towards the shorter boundary.
While Smith’s strategy paid off, Babar appeared visibly frustrated by the decision, reportedly feeling 'disrespected' on the field and in the dressing room after the match.
On-Field Tension between Babar Azam and Steve Smith
Babar Azam's frustration was evident when he lost his wicket on the first ball of the 13th over to Nathan McAndrew. Attempting to play a leg-side shot, he ended up with a thick inside edge that hit the stumps.
In a burst of anger, Babar smashed his bat on the boundary cushions while walking back to the dugout. It was also noted that Babar's body language throughout this period reflected his displeasure.
He did not engage in post-match on-field celebrations, and reports suggest that he expressed his anger verbally in the dressing room.
According to Code Sports reports, sources claim that the confrontation escalated into a heated exchange, with Babar openly criticising Smith’s decision and planning to raise the matter with Sydney Sixers management and the PCB.
Steve Smith smashes record-breaking century
Despite the tension, Steve Smith's decision proved successful. He smashed four consecutive sixes followed by a four off Ryan Hadley in the Power Surge, scoring 32 runs in a single over (the highest in BBL history).
He then added another 11 runs from three balls in the next over, racing to a 42-ball century. Smith's innings helped the Sixers chase down 190 in 17.2 overs, winning the match by five wickets.
Steve Smith addresses Babar Azam's unhappiness
Speaking to Cricket 7 after the game, Steve Smith acknowledged Babar Azam's unhappiness but defended his approach.
"At the 10-over mark, they asked me to take the Power Surge. I told him to give me one more over; I’d take it on the short boundary and go for 30 runs. We got 32 of that. Not sure Babar Azam was happy with me for turning down that single,” Smith said.
The incident quickly became a topic of discussion on social media, with fans divided over whether Smith’s tactical call was justified or disrespectful. Comparisons were made to previous BBL incidents, such as Mohammad Rizwan's retirement, which also caused controversy.
