former cricketer of pakistan Basit Ali A new debate has erupted after bluntly assessing Babar Azam After a controversial moment during a Big Bash League (BBL|15) Clash between Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder. The incident, which occurred midway through the Sixers’ innings, immediately attracted attention and later drew a strong reaction from Basit, who even dragged him. Virat Kohli In discussion.
Steve Smith refused to give a single run to Babar Azam
The flashpoint occurred during the final delivery of the 11th over when Babar, who was batting in his 40s, edged the ball towards long-on and called for a quick single. Steve Smith, deployed at the non-striker’s end, responded initially and was out at the last moment. The hesitation left Babar stranded in the middle of the pitch, forcing him to run back to safety and clearly express his frustration.
What made that moment even more important was the context. Sydney Sixers had already activated Power Surge – a window of two overs to maximize scoring. With runs at a premium during that phase, the decision not to take quick singles appeared to irk Babar, who was keen to rotate the strike and maintain the pace.
If there were any doubts about Smith’s intentions, they were quickly erased. The next over turned into a brutal statement as Smith made a surprise attack to score 32 runs. The volley of fours and sky-scraping sixes stunned both the opposition and the spectators, completely changing the course of the innings.
Moments later, the spotlight focused on Babar for all the wrong reasons. He was clean bowled on the first ball of the 13th over, bringing a sudden and disappointing end to his innings. As Babar walked back, he hit the boundary cushion with his bat, a clear display of frustration that further added to the growing debate around the first run-call incident.
Basit Ali defends Smith, mentions comparison with Virat Kohli
Reacting strongly to the episode, Basit Ali came out strongly in Smith’s defense and put the blame squarely on Babar. He argued that Smith’s explosive response in the next over justified his decision to refuse to take the single.
“Smith proved it in the next over. At one point I thought he would hit six sixes.” Basit commented. then he called Virat Kohli Underlining his point, he said that if Kohli had been in Babar’s place, Smith would never have refused to give runs.
Basit said, “He answered it, didn’t he? If Virat Kohli wanted to take a single like Babar Azam, Steve Smith ka baap bhi single would have taken! (Even Steve Smith’s father would have taken a single).”
The comment, made in Basit’s trademark outspoken style, quickly made headlines and sparked a sharp reaction among fans.
Also read: Steve Smith reveals the reason behind not trusting Babar Azam for ‘power surge’ during BBL|15 game
Basit Ali questions Babar Azam’s current position in world cricket
Basit Ali went a step further and questioned the current stature of Babar Azam in world cricket. According to him, the recent protests have reduced Babar’s value instead of increasing it. He rejected claims that the episode had a bad impact on Pakistan cricket and described such views as misleading.
“You have lowered your own value with your game,” Basit stressed that Babar’s participation in the Big Bash League was based on invitation rather than official support from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
“You have lowered your own honor with your game. This will not bring bad name to Pakistan. People who say so are fools. Babar went to play the Big Bash because he was invited there, but the Pakistan Cricket Board did not send him.”
Although the Sixers’ dominance on the field ultimately overshadowed the mid-pitch drama, the incident continues to be debated. With opinions sharply divided, this episode has once again highlighted how individual moments, body language and perceptions of the situation can quickly become major talking points in modern T20 cricket.
Also read: Tactical genius or team friction? Mitchell Starc weighs in on Steve Smith-Babar Azam drama in BBL|15
