A brief but highly discussed on-field incident involving Steve Smith and Babar Azam during a Big Bash League (BBL) match continues to draw attention across Australian media, 24NewsHD TV reported on Sunday.
According to Australian media outlets, Babar Azam felt disrespected by Steve Smith’s conduct after Smith declined to take a single off the final delivery of an over, despite Babar playing a stroke.
The incident reportedly left the Pakistan batter visibly upset.
Media reports claimed that Smith had already informed Babar by the 10th over that he intended to face the first ball of the Power Surge, a strategy that paid off as Smith smashed 32 runs in the over.
However, Babar did not appear to celebrate the onslaught, fueling speculation of discontent.
Following the match, Babar reportedly remained in the Sydney Sixers’ dressing room, avoided interaction with teammates, and did not come out for the customary handshakes with Sydney Thunder players at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Australian media described Babar’s reaction as an unusual display of anger, noting that even the team’s coach attempted to engage him during the tense moments.
Adding to the debate, former Australian cricketer Mark Waugh commented on Babar’s post-dismissal reaction, particularly his act of striking the boundary fence with his bat.
Waugh advised that personal emotions should be controlled on the field, stating that such expressions are not healthy for team harmony.
“I don’t know where he went after the match, but not coming back onto the ground didn’t look good,” Waugh said, adding that Babar should have appreciated the fact that the team’s strategy worked in their favor.
The incident, though minor in gameplay terms, has sparked widespread discussion about team dynamics, communication, and temperament at the elite level of T20 cricket.