BBL 2025-26: ‘Babar Azam wasn’t too happy’ – Steve Smith on turning down single in Sydney derby

Babar Azam appeared clearly irritated after Steve Smith turned down a single to keep strike during the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26 match between the Sydney Thunder and Sydney Sixers at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday, January 16.

The incident occurred at the conclusion of the 11th over, when Smith declined an easy single after Babar drove the ball to long-on, preferring to maintain the strike. Babar took off on the run but was soon redirected by the former Australian captain.

After the over, Babar appeared disappointed, pointing with his arms before speaking with Steve Smith at the non-striker’s end.

Smith made a tactical move by delaying the Power Surge by an over and positioning himself to hit the shorter boundary. The decision may have frustrated Babar for a short while, but the Australian batter trusted his instincts.

Smith’s move paid off as he helped the Sixers score 32 runs in the 12th over, bowled by right-arm pacer Ryan Hadley. This proved to be the most expensive over in BBL history. Smith smashed sixes off the opening four deliveries, followed by a boundary off a no-ball. The over ended with a wide, then a dot, and finally a pair.

After the match, Smith described his plans for using the Power Surge and stated that Babar may not have been pleased with his refusal of the single.

“Yeah, we spoke at the 10-over mark and they suggested taking the Surge straight away. I said no — give it one more over. I wanted to target the short boundary and didn’t want to mess up the first over. I was aiming to get around 30 from that over, and we ended up with 32, which was a great result. I’m not sure Babar was too happy with me turning down that single though,” Smith said at the post-match presentation ceremony.