Smith's 32-run over sparks BBL controversy with Babar Azam
Smith's 32-run over sparks BBL controversy with Babar Azam
In a tense BBL clash at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Steve Smith delivered a record 32-run over after denying Babar azam a single, sparking debate among former cricketers.
In a high-octane BBL showdown at the Sydney Cricket Ground, a moment of on-field drama between Steve Smith and Babar Azam grabbed the spotlight. Babar pushed the last ball of the 11th over towards long-on and called for a single, only for Smith to refuse. The pause seemed to rile Babar, and he walked off mid-pitch after being dismissed soon after. The clash was part of a larger frame in which the Sixers had already activated the Power Surge, a two-over window meant for aggressive scoring.
What followed was a standout over from Smith. He unleashed 32 runs, the most any over has yielded in Big Bash League history, turning the tide and leaving Babar understandably frustrated as his own innings ended with a bowled dismissal at the start of the 13th over. The moment became a talking point well beyond the boundary ropes.
Reaction poured in from former players. Basit Ali defended Smith, suggesting that Smith would not deny Virat Kohli a run and framing the incident as Babar's fault for his own misjudgments. He famously quipped that even “Steve Smith ka baap” would have taken the single if Kohli had wanted it, underscoring a belief that Smith simply played within the rival’s decisions and the moment’s momentum.
But not everyone agreed. Kamran Akmal criticized Smith, saying the act crossed a line and that Smith could have handled the situation differently. He urged that if Sydney Sixers were unhappy with Babar, they should discipline him publicly rather than letting the moment devolve into a disrespectful confrontation. Basit, for his part, stood by his view of the incident and continued to defend his initial stance.
Amid the drama, the Sixers still chased 190 and eventually won the match by five wickets, with David Warner delivering a masterful unbeaten 110 for the opposition later in the day. The contest left fans debating not just the result but the ethics of aggression, the handling of on-field heat, and the fine line between competitive fire and sportsmanship.
