BBL 2025-26: Babar Azam says he felt disrespected after Steve Smith refused single

The Big Bash League (BBL) dispute involving Steve Smith and Babar Azam took a new turn after it was reported that the entire event caused uncomfortable situations in the Sydney Sixers dressing room.  

In order to maintain strike for the Power Surge, a two-over phase that permits fewer fielders outside the circle, Smith turned down Babar's single offer at the end of the eleventh over. 

Babar was dismissed shortly after Smith hit 32 runs in the next two overs, and he showed his rage by hitting the boundary cushions with his bat. 

For the thirteenth over, he nearly denied Babar the strike once more, but in the end, the Pakistani was successful. However, Babar was dismissed on the first ball of the thirteenth over, and in an attempt to vent his annoyance, he even struck the boundary cushions with his bat.

Still miffed, Azam did not join his colleagues on the pitch for the post-match handshakes after the Sixers won by five wickets, according to CODE Sports. 

In what the newspaper called a "stunning tantrum" and a "epic dummy spit," the former international captain informed teammates he felt "disrespected" by Smith's rejection and stayed away from the group. According to reports, Sixers coach Greg Shipperd tried to diffuse the situation by talking to Azam. 

According to the story, Smith had already told Azam that he intended to hit the first ball of the Power Surge during the tenth over.

The Australian had good reasoning. He clarified that he intended to target the short boundary on the leg side after scoring 100 off 42 balls to help the Sixers chase 190 in less than 18 overs. Although he didn't express it, Babar's choice was obvious given that he was batting at a strike rate of almost 120 and had given up three dot balls in the eleventh over. 

Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal said that he believes Smith 'disrespected' Babar with his gesture.

“This shouldn't have happened. I understand Smith hit a fast hundred. He could have told Babar before that the ball ‘Don't take a single'. Not like this. This is a disrespect. If Sydney Sixers aren't happy with Babar, drop him. Don't disrespect him like this. Make him sit out, only… But don't do this," Akmal said on YouTube.  

Nonetheless, Babar is regarded as the "King" in Pakistan and is among the most well-liked athletes worldwide. He would never have encountered it at home, despite his clear shortcomings in the T20 format, such as his incapacity to control strike in the middle order and his ignorance of the fact that striking boundaries is crucial.

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