• Home
  • Match Hub
  • Watch Babar Azams Special Gesture For Steve Smith Ends Rift Rumours In Bbl

Watch - Babar Azam's special gesture for Steve Smith ends rift rumours in BBL

Sakshi Sharma

Babar Azam and Steve Smith (Source:X)Babar Azam and Steve Smith (Source:X)

In a high-voltage clash at the Gabba on Sunday, the Brisbane Heat locked horns with the Sydney Sixers in the final league match of the Big Bash League (BBL) Season 15. With Perth Scorchers, Hobart Hurricanes, and Melbourne Stars already securing their spots in the playoffs, this game was set to decide the fourth and final team to advance to the next round. 

The winner of this thrilling encounter would book a place in the playoffs, while the loser would be eliminated from the tournament.

The tension had been brewing between Pakistan star Babar Azam and Steve Smith since the previous match between the Sydney Sixers and the Sydney Thunder on January 16 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

What happened between Babar Azam and Steve Smith?

Reports suggested that Babar Azam was upset with Steve Smith after the Australian star player denied him a single during the Sixers’ innings. Frustrated by the incident, Babar expressed his anger on the field, even hitting the boundary cushions with his bat.

Sources also revealed that the issue continued off the field, creating a tense atmosphere in the Sixers' dressing room.

On Friday, Smith created history by smashing 32 runs in a single over, the most in BBL history, during the Sixers’ innings against Sydney Thunder.

Babar, who had been batting well, was dismissed shortly after the over and had visibly expressed his frustration on the field. Despite the tension, Smith’s aggressive batting helped the Sixers chase down 190 in just 17.2 overs, winning the match by five wickets and keeping their playoff hopes alive.

It is important to mention that, after the game, Steve Smith in the post-match interview confirmed that Babar Azam was not happy with him.

"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 remarked.

All Good between Babar Azam and Steve Smith

However, during Sunday's match at the Gabba, it was clear that the tension between the two players had eased. Firstly, before the game, Babar had a chat with the presenters and stated that things had cleared between them and that they were doing fine now.

Secondly, in the 4.6th over, Nathan McSweeney survived a close call when he edged a back-of-the-length delivery outside off stump to Steve Smith at backward point.

Smith attempted a difficult reverse cup catch, but the ball slipped off his hands and fell to the ground. The moment caught everyone's attention, as Babar Azam immediately ran towards Smith to appreciate his effort, showing mutual respect.

Social media was abuzz with visuals of the two players enjoying light-hearted moments before the game, including shadow practicing golf together.

These gestures helped put an end to rumours of a lingering rift and showed that both players were in good spirits heading into this crucial match.