Babar Azam Controversy: The fluent partnership between Babar Azam and Steve Smith in the BBL 2026 ended in an on-field drama. The game between the Sydney Sixers and the Sydney Thunders at the SCG on Friday turned out to be full of drama when Smith opted to deny a single to keep the strike for the power surge.
Babar Azam Controversy With Steve Smith
After Babar’s dismissal, he was filled with intense anger, which was clearly visible on his face. However, after the game, Steve Smith clarified that the decision was purely cricket-based, which turned out to be in favor of the Sixers, as they won by five wickets.
The incident occurred in the 11th over when Babar Azam, batting on 47 runs off 38, was looking for a single after facing three dot balls from Chris Green. However, Smith turned him down and made it clear that he wanted to retain the strike for the power surge, the BBL two-over powerplay that can be taken after the 10th over. Babar looked very unhappy with the decision taken by Smith after his dismissal and reacted angrily on his way back to the pavilion.
Steve Smith On Call Against Babar Azam
After Babar’s dismissal, Smith smashed a century off 41 balls and later stated the reasoning behind denying Babar after that single.
He said,
“We spoke at the ten-over mark, and they (the captain and coach) said take the surge straightaway. I was like, Nah, give it one over. I want to hit to the short boundary. I don’t want to screw up the first over. I’ll try to get 30 off that order. I think we got 32, so it was a good result. Not sure Babar was too happy with me knocking back that single.”
Mitchell Starc Comeback In BBL
After the Pakistan player’s dismissal, he was not seen on the field after the match; however, it is not confirmed yet whether he later made an appearance or not.
Mitchell Starc, who made his first appearance in the BBL on Friday after a long wait of 11 years, stated that he was unaware of the incident.
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