Steve Smith dragged through ‘Sandpapergate’ mud, viciously abused by Babar Azam fans after BBL incident
Published - 17 Jan 2026, 11:23 AM | Updated - 17 Jan 2026, 11:28 AM
Australia batter Steve Smith faced heavy backlash from Babar Azam fans on social media after the recent Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26 match between the Sydney Sixers and the Sydney Thunder. Smith’s decision to deny the Pakistan batter a single to keep the strike sparked angry reactions from Babar’s fans.
Chasing 190, the Sixers finished the match in 17.2 overs with 15 balls to spare at the iconic SCG on Friday, January 16. Smith smashed 100 off 42 balls, including nine sixes and five fours at a strike rate of 238.10. His aggressive batting took the game away from the opposition bowlers and set the platform for the win.
Steve Smith-Babar Azam Incident Overshadows Sixers’ Win
The Sydney Sixers beat the Sydney Thunder to claim their fifth win in nine matches in the ongoing Big Bash League. With this result, the Sixers moved up to fourth place on the points table with 11 points.
A major talking point from the match came during the run chase involving Steve Smith and Babar Azam. Babar struggled to find his rhythm and largely played a supporting role, while Smith controlled the innings and took charge of both the scoring and the finish.
In the 11th over, Smith turned down a single on the final ball after Babar had played three dot balls in a row. Smith wanted to stay on strike for the Power Surge and target the shorter boundary. The decision clearly upset Babar, who shook his head and showed frustration after being denied the run.
Steve Smith’s Tactical Call Turns the Game
Steve Smith’s decision to keep the strike during the Power Surge proved crucial for the Sydney Sixers. In the first over of the surge, he smashed 32 runs off Ryan Hadley, hitting four sixes in a row along with a four. The aggressive burst brought the chase down to 49 runs needed from 48 balls.
The move, however, frustrated Babar Azam. After being denied the strike, Babar was dismissed in the next over of the Power Surge and showed his disappointment by hitting his bat on the boundary.
Smith and Babar had earlier put on a 141-run opening partnership. The Australian batter scored 88 runs, which made up around 62% of the stand, while Babar contributed 47. Smith largely controlled the scoring rate during their time together at the crease.
Babar Azam Fans Target Steve Smith’s Instagram After Strike-Denial Incident
The decision by Smith to deny the strike not only upset Babar Azam but also his supporters. Fans felt Smith chose to back his own power-hitting plan while stopping Babar from using a key scoring phase of the innings.
Soon after the match, Babar’s fans targeted Smith’s Instagram account. They flooded the comment sections of his posts with angry and abusive messages, praising Babar and criticizing Smith for his on-field decision.
Babar Azam fans are now spamming Steven Smith's Instagram comment section.
— Abdullah (@michaelscottfc) January 16, 2026
This is too humiliating. pic.twitter.com/yVCzAhUecY
View this post on Instagram
Also read: 'Angry' Babar Azam cuts ties with Sydney Sixers after Steve Smith controversy - set to QUIT mid-BBL?
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Steve Smith Babar Azam Sydney Sixers Sydney Thunder BBL Australia National Cricket Team Pakistan National Cricket TeamAbout the Author
Sai Vaitla is an author at Cricketaddictor and he has been working since September 2022. Sai Vaitla...
