'Really insulting': Babar Azam left fuming after dismissal as Steve Smith refuses to take single in BBL clash

Babar Azam was seen smashing the boundary skirtings in anger while walking back to the pavillion after his dismissal in the Big Bash League clash between Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder. The Pakistani batter was dismissed soon after he was denied a single by his opening partner Steve Smith even though the ball went to long-on.

The chain of events started in the 11th over of Sixers’ chase. Azam and Smith had already stitched a partnership of over 100 runs and they seemed set to chase down the target of 190.

On the final delivery of the 11th over, Azam pushed the ball towards long-on but Smith surprisingly refused to run and thus took the strike in the next over. The former Pakistani captain looked perplexed at Smith’s decision.

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"Wasn't happy, Babar." 😳

Drama in the middle of the SCG after Steve Smith knocked back a run from Babar Azam, so he could take strike during the Power Surge. #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/rTh0RXE0A5

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 16, 2026

Smith smashes BBL history as Babar left fuming

Sixers took the ‘Power Surge’ in the next over which is a two-over phase where field restrictions are applied. Smith took full advantage of the surge and slammed four sixes in a row and then a boundary in the 12th over as Azam watched from the non-striker’s end. 32 runs came from the over bowled by Ryan Hadley, the most in the history of BBL.

Babar then took strike in the next over and was clean bowled by Nathan McAndrew. He walked back angrily for a 39-ball 47 and smashed the boundary cushions before crossing them.

Smith reached his ton in the very next over before getting out on the very next ball for a 42-ball 100. The Sixers easily won the game by chasing down 190 in just 17.3 overs and Smith was awarded the Player of the Match.

Smith says Babar not ’too happy’

Speaking after the match, Smith explained that he wanted to take the ‘Power Surge’ and hit towards the short boundary on the leg side due to which he refused the single.

“I looked to try and get 30 off that over. I think we got 32. So it’s a good result. I’m not sure Babar was too happy with me knocking back that single though,” he said.

Earlier, David Warner had also scored a century to propel Thunder’s scored to 189/5 but that did not prove to be enough.

This is really kind of insulting, Babar Azam was not happy either. Should have ran and given the strike to Babar in the next over. #BBL pic.twitter.com/xiesHUW3o3

— Nibraz Ramzan (@nibraz88cricket) January 16, 2026

Babar Azam got a harsh reality check tonight from Steve Smith.
You need to go hard at every ball in t20 format. Not playing tuktuk cricket.
Steve Smith is not some Pakistan level mentality player to get fooled by his antics.
This works in Pakistan not in Australia.
That is why…

— Troll cricket unlimitedd (@TUnlimitedd) January 16, 2026

That is a blow to one's professional ego if I ever saw one.
The ruthless Australian sporting culture doesnt spare you if you are not good enough. That is exactly what Rizwan and Babar have found out this month. https://t.co/X7wDBeTTzE

— Asfandyar Farooq (@realayc) January 16, 2026

Not that it needed any further affirmation but both Babar & Rizwan have been brutally exposed in big bash, for far too long we have settled for mediocrity. Even Smith who himself was considered too slow for both Australia & IPL is denying Babar singles, embarrassing! https://t.co/on5Ta8h6Qu

— Osama. (@ashaqeens) January 16, 2026