The BBL 2026 hasn’t been the best for Pakistan batter Babar Azam, who is plying his trade for the Sydney Sixers. In an encounter on Friday against Sydney Thunder, first he was denied a single by Steve Smith, and was later clean bowled, in the vert next over. While making his long walk back, Babar was visibly frustrated and smashed the advertising cushioning, expressing his displeasure.
Babar Azam vs Steve Smith in BBL?
While Smith later went on to clarify that the decision was more tactical, this has not gone down well with former Pakistan cricketers Kamran Akmal and Basit Ali. On Youtube channel ‘Game Plan’, he called the move disrespectful. “This shouldn’t have happened. I understand Smith hit a fast hundred. He could have told Babar before that the ball ‘don’t take a single’. Not like this.
Pakistanis Not Happy
“This is a disrespect,” Akmal said. “If Sydney sixes aren’t happy with Babar, drop him. Don’t disrespect him like this. Make him sit out, only. Team first always, if he isn’t right for the team, then rest him. But don’t do this.” ON the other hand, Basit Ali went on to claim, that if it was Virat Kohli instead of Babar, he would never have been denied a single.
“If Virat Kohli had wanted to take this single like Babar Azam, Steve Smith ka baap bhi single leta!” Basit said. “You have brought your own value down with your game. People who say that are fools. Babar went to play Big Bash because he was invited there, but the Pakistan cricket board didn’t send him,” Basit Ali added.
As far as Babar’s record in the BBL this year is concerned, he has played 9 matches so far where he has scored 201 runs including two fifties. The bigger issue has been his strike rate which stands at only 107, and the player has been facing severe criticism due to that.
