Tension at the SCG: Babar Azam and Steve Smith’s Viral Power Surge Clash

SYDNEY, NSW — A moment of on-field friction between two of cricket’s biggest stars has gone viral following the Sydney Derby at the SCG on Friday, January 16, 2026. A clip of Pakistan’s Babar Azam looking visibly frustrated with his Sydney Sixers teammate Steve Smith has ignited a firestorm of debate across social media, highlighting the high-stakes pressure of the Big Bash League (BBL).

The Incident: A Denied Single

The drama unfolded during the 11th over of the Sixers’ chase against the Sydney Thunder. Babar Azam, batting on 47 and looking to anchor the innings, pushed a delivery from Chris Green toward long-on for what appeared to be a routine single.

However, Steve Smith, standing at the non-striker’s end, refused the run, sending a confused and clearly unimpressed Babar back to his crease. The refusal was a tactical move by Smith to ensure he retained the strike for the start of the “Power Surge” — the BBL’s two-over period where only two fielders are allowed outside the inner circle.

“I’m not sure Babar was too happy with me turning down that single,” Smith admitted during the post-match presentation. “We spoke at the 10-over mark… I wanted to target the short boundary and I backed myself to get around 30 off that over.”

Strategy vs. Friction

While the decision caused immediate tension on the pitch, Smith’s tactical gamble paid off in record-breaking fashion.

• The Record Over: Taking the strike in the 12th over against Ryan Hadley, Smith launched a brutal assault, smashing four consecutive sixes.
• BBL History: The over resulted in 32 runs, the highest-scoring single over in the history of the Big Bash League.
• The Fallout: The momentum shift was total, but the cost was the partnership’s harmony. In the very next over, a still-seething Babar Azam was clean-bowled for 47. On his way to the dugout, Babar was seen smashing the boundary cushions with his bat in a rare display of public anger.

Dressing Room Drama?

Reports following the match suggest the tension did not end at the boundary rope. Sources within the Sixers’ camp indicate that Babar felt “disrespected” by the public nature of the refusal, especially while he was nearing a half-century. Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal echoed these sentiments on social media, calling the move “insulting” to a player of Babar’s stature.

However, others, including former player Basit Ali, defended Smith, noting that his 41-ball century and the team’s five-wicket victory ultimately justified the “win-at-all-costs” mentality.

Highlights of the “Sydney Smash”