Babar was left frustrated after Smith denied him a single.
Steve Smith’s decision to deny Babar Azam a single became a major talking point during Sydney Sixers’ BBL 2025-26 encounter against Sydney Thunder at the SCG on Friday (January 16).
Chasing 190 to win, the duo forged a dominant 141-run stand for the opening wicket. However, a moment of friction unfolded in the 11th over, leaving the former Pakistan skipper frustrated.
After playing three successive dot balls from Chris Green, Babar drove the final delivery to long-on and took off for an easy single. But, Smith -- standing at the non-striker's end -- firmly sent his partner back, opting not to take the run so he could retain strike for the next over.
The move paid off in a spectacular fashion as the Australian star made the most of 'Power Surge', taking Ryan Hadley to the cleaners by hammering four consecutive sixes and a four in a 32-run over.
While Babar wasn't too happy to see his batting skills getting undermined by the Australian, Smith later clarified that his decision to deny a single was purely tactical.
Amid the no-single controversy, a fresh video has emerged on social media, in which Thunder spinner Chris Green can be heard rubbing salt into Babar’s wounds during the broadcast.
Green mince no words as he said Thunder were happy to see Babar on strike during the powerplay.
“We want to get Babar Azam facing as many balls as possible up front,” Green said on-air. “He likes to sort of ease his way into things and then play catch-up. So try and force him to hit.”
The match-winning partnership was dominated by Steve Smith as Babar Azam fell for 47 in 39 balls with 7 fours.
Smith, on the other hand, went on to slam a 41-ball century, making 100 in 42 balls with the help of 5 fours and 9 sixes. This was the second-fastest century in BBL history, and he helped the Sixers win the game by 5 wickets in 17.2 overs.