Overview:
Sixers coach Greg Shipperd attempted to defuse the situation, though Babar remained frustrated and showed little reaction to Smith’s standout innings.
Babar Azam was reportedly upset during a Big Bash League match against Sydney Thunder after feeling snubbed by Steve Smith’s decision not to run a single. The incident occurred at the end of the 11th over, when Smith declined the run to retain strike for the power surge. Although Smith later explained that the pair had planned to take the surge in the 12th over with him on strike, Babar was visibly frustrated and is said to have retreated to the dressing room.
The move paid off immediately as Smith smashed 32 runs in the opening power-surge over. Babar was dismissed in the next over for 47 off 39, visibly frustrated on his walk back, while Smith surged on to a rapid 42-ball hundred that powered the Sixers to a five-wicket win.
A report referenced by Fox Sports, sourced from CODE, claimed Babar Azam was so aggrieved by Smith’s decision that he isolated himself in the dressing room and skipped the customary handshakes with Sydney Thunder players. He is said to have told teammates that he felt disrespected. Sixers coach Greg Shipperd attempted to defuse the situation, though Babar remained frustrated and showed little reaction to Smith’s standout innings.
Babar Azam’s reaction attracted sharp scrutiny, with several voices from the cricket fraternity openly disapproving of his behaviour.”No matter what you’re feeling, you can’t let it spill out like that. It doesn’t help the overall team atmosphere.” Mark Waugh said while referring to the boundary rope incident.
“Babar didn’t come out for the handshakes and was done for the evening. I’m not sure where he went, but it didn’t reflect well,” he said.
“In a team game, you’re always going to make calls that won’t please everyone. But once Smith made that decision, he backed it up by blasting 32 runs in the over,” Vaughan said.