SCG drama: Babar Azam left in anger when Steve Smith denied the single, but then turned sassy
It all started at the end of the 11th over when Steve Smith clearly refused to take a single from Chris Green’s final ball. The in-form Australian batting icon wanted to stick and control the next over, but the move did not go down well with Babar Azam.
The Pakistan star looked visibly frustrated and walked towards Smith as Babar was likely looking to turn 50 in the BBL 2025-26 match against Sydney Thunder at the SCG on January 16. The two exchanged a few words, with Smith calmly explaining his plan.
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What followed gave Smith’s decision a masterful impression. In the next over, the Australian star went into full beast mode and smashed a whopping 32 runs, completely changing the momentum of the game and massively increasing the pressure on David Warner’s Thunder once again.
Scenes in the BBL:
– Steve Smith refused to take a single on the last ball of the over.
– Babar wasn’t happy about it.
– In the next over, Smith hit 32 runs.
– In the next over, Babar bowled and hit the boundary pad furiously. pic.twitter.com/eEMFWZtpDC-Sherry. (@CallMeSheri1_) January 16, 2026
Steve Smith is racing to make BBL history
In the 12th over, Smith completely dismantled Ryan Hadley and produced one of the most brutal overs ever in the history of the Big Bash League. The over started with a full ball on the off stump. Smith calmly shuffled across and tossed it over deep backward square leg for six.
The next delivery was a half volley from outside off, and Smith stayed behind and lifted it cleanly over long distance. Then followed a low full toss on the middle. Smith again moved inside the line and tapped another six over deep back square leg. Three balls, three sixes.
Well, then Hadley next tried a slower ball, full on, but Smith waited, timed it perfectly and sent it over deep square leg for a fourth six in a row. Things went from bad to worse for Thunder when Hadley seriously crossed the line. It was called a no-ball and Smith cut the short delivery outside off for four, giving himself a free hit.
Also read: Steve Smith’s T20 World Cup squad claimed after surreal BBL century for Sydney Sixers
The over finally ended when Smith drove a slower full ball through the covers and ran hard for two, thanks to a brilliant diving save in the deep. By the time the over ended, Smith had reached 32 runs, the most expensive in BBL history, leaving everyone in shock.
32 RUNS ONE OVER!
Steve Smith hit four sixes in a row in this wild one at the SCG. #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/fSPEaw3Xoo
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 16, 2026
Babar Azam bowled for 47 and smashes the boundary pads in anger
However, the drama came to a head moments later, at the start of the 13th, when Babar’s own innings came to an agonizing end. Faced with a short ball from Nathan McAndrew on stump, Babar tried to force the shot but was met with a thick inside edge that bounced off his leg stump.
He was bowled for 47 off 39 balls, with seven boundaries. Furious at the dismissal, Babar hit his bat hard against the boundary pads as he walked away.
However, the damage was already done by Smith as the Sydney Sixers chased down the 189-run target inside 18 overs at the SCG. Smith was named Player of the Match for his 42-ball 100 against the Thunder as Sixers boosted their 2025-2026 BBL play-off chances with a thrilling win.
Crazy scenes in the BBL
Babar plays 3 dots. On the last ball of the over he hits the ball too long and Steve Smith denies the single. Babar was angry.
Smith then hit 4 sixes in a row. And 32 on top.
Next ball Babar got out pic.twitter.com/YExj6SJbuk
— Haroon (@hazharoon) January 16, 2026
#Steve #Smith #mentally #breaks #Babar #Azam #denying #single #hits #runs #Pakistani #batsman #explodes