Sydney Sixers’ Babar Azam and Steve Smith in dialogue, with Babar visibly sad throughout the Large Bash League (BBL) 15 match towards Sydney Thunder on the Sydney Cricket Floor (SCG) on January 16, 2025. — X/@BBL
Star Pakistan batter Babar Azam appeared visibly disenchanted after his Sydney Sixers teammate Steve Smith declined a single on the ultimate ball of an over throughout a Large Bash League (BBL) 15 match towards Sydney Thunder on Friday.
In a video shared by the franchise league on social media, Babar was seen expressing his disappointment as Smith declined a fast single within the eleventh over.
The second got here after the previous Pakistan captain had confronted three consecutive dot balls and was desperate to rotate the strike on the ultimate supply.
Commentators highlighted the incident on air, stating Babar’s response and discussing the potential reasoning behind Smith’s choice, which seemed to be primarily based on backing himself to speed up within the following over.
Smith, nonetheless, responded in emphatic vogue, smashing back-to-back sixes within the subsequent over and including a 4 off a no-ball to gather 32 runs from the over, shifting the momentum firmly within the Sixers’ favour.
It’s pertinent to say that the Sydney Sixers went on to defeat the Sydney Thunder by 5 wickets, courtesy of an distinctive century from Smith and precious contributions from Babar.
Batting first, Thunder posted a aggressive 189-6 of their allotted 20 overs, because of an unbeaten 110 off 65 deliveries from skipper David Warner, which included 11 fours and 4 sixes.
In reply, Sixers chased down the goal with Smith producing a blistering 42-ball century, that includes 5 fours and 9 sixes, whereas Babar chipped in with a composed 47 off 39 balls, together with seven fours.
