'Angry' Babar Azam cuts ties with Sydney Sixers after Steve Smith controversy - set to QUIT mid-BBL?

Steve Smith made a call that surprised his batting partner, Babar Azam, during the Big Bash League (BBL) 2026 match between the Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder. After winning the game, the Sydney Sixers batter acknowledged that Babar was unhappy about being denied the run, even though one was on offer.

Chasing a target of 190 on Friday, January 16, Smith took control for the Sydney Sixers alongside Babar. The right-handed batter reached his century in just 41 balls. He also smashed four consecutive sixes and plundered a Big Bash League record 32 runs in a single Power Surge over bowled by Ryan Hadley.

Steve Smith Denies Babar Azam a Single in BBL Match

In the 11th over of the run chase, Steve Smith chose to stay on strike for the Power Surge. On the final ball of the over, he turned down an easy single after Babar Azam had faced several dot balls. Babar, batting on 47 from 38 balls, was clearly unhappy with the decision.

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Smith immediately made the call count. He smashed 32 runs off Ryan Hadley in the first over of the Power Surge, the most runs scored in a single over in Big Bash League history. He then added another 11 runs from three balls in the following over and went on to complete his hundred.

Babar was dismissed on the very first ball he faced from Nathan McAndrew. He walked off in frustration and hit the boundary cushions on his way back. He finished with 47 from 39 balls at a strike rate of just over 120, his best outing of the season.

Smith scored 100 off 42 balls before being dismissed. The Sydney Sixers chased down the 190-run target in 17.2 overs, winning by five wickets against the Sydney Thunder.

Not Sure Babar Azam Was Too Happy With Me - Steve Smith

After the match, Steve Smith said that the discussion with the captain and coach at the 10-over mark was to take the Power Surge. He admitted the decision to deny the single was justified, but also accepted that Babar Azam was not happy about it.

"We spoke at the ten-over mark, and they [the captain and coach] said take the surge straightaway," Smith told Channel 7.

"I was like, 'Nah, give it one over. I want to hit to the short boundary. I don't want to screw up the first over. I'll try to get 30 off that over'. [I] think we got 32, so it was a good result. Not sure Babar was too happy with me knocking back that single," he added.

Babar Azam Missing After Match as Debate Continues

After the match, Babar Azam did not appear on the field while players were interacting, and it was unclear whether he returned later. Australian media also reported that Steve Smith skipped the post-match press conference, possibly to avoid further discussion around the incident.

Meanwhile, Mitchell Starc, who was playing his first Big Bash League match in 11 years, said he was unaware of what had happened. He added that in T20 cricket, batters often look for favourable match-ups, similar to how bowlers plan their overs.

Babar has scored 201 runs so far at an average of 28.71 and a strike rate of 107.48. While he is widely regarded as a technically strong batter, concerns remain over his ability to consistently succeed in high-scoring T20 games.

Also read: Steve Smith launches 107m monster six in BBL, teaches Babar Azam how to bat in T20 cricket