The Big Bash League match between Sydney Sixers and their opponents witnessed high drama involving two international cricket stars. While the Sixers successfully chased down their target in just 17.2 overs, the spotlight shifted to a controversial on-field incident.
Smith's Stunning Century Overshadowed by Controversy
Steve Smith played a magnificent innings, scoring a century off only 42 balls. His explosive batting powered Sydney Sixers to victory. However, the match will be remembered for what happened during the Power Surge overs.
The Controversial Moment That Went Viral
During the crucial phase of the match, Babar Azam found himself at the crease with Steve Smith. The Pakistani batsman played three dot balls in the over. On what should have been the final delivery, Babar hit the ball towards long on and attempted to take a single.
Steve Smith made a surprising move. He knocked the ball back from the bat of Babar Azam, denying his partner the single. This unusual action allowed Smith to retain the strike for the Power Surge overs that followed immediately.
Babar's Frustration and Smith's Explosion
Babar Azam appeared visibly angry at being denied the run. The frustration showed on his face as he returned to the non-striker's end. What happened next made the situation even more dramatic.
Steve Smith then unleashed an incredible batting display. He smashed four consecutive sixes in the Power Surge over, accumulating 32 runs from those six deliveries. The Australian batsman completely dominated the bowling attack during this phase.
The Immediate Aftermath
The very next ball after Smith's explosive over brought more drama. Babar Azam got out, ending his innings in disappointing fashion. The sequence of events created a talking point that quickly spread across social media platforms.
Cricket fans and commentators have been discussing the incident extensively. Many have questioned whether Smith's action was within the spirit of the game, while others have praised his tactical awareness during a crucial match situation.
The match also saw another notable incident earlier. Mohammed Rizwan retired mid-innings, adding to the unusual events of the day. However, it was the Smith-Babar interaction that captured most attention.
Social media platforms exploded with reactions to the incident. The official Big Bash League Twitter account shared clips showing both the run denial and Smith's subsequent batting explosion. Cricket enthusiasts have been debating whether such tactics should be acceptable in professional cricket.
This incident highlights how tactical decisions in T20 cricket can sometimes create controversy. While Smith's move proved effective for his team, it raised questions about partnership ethics in the shortest format of the game.
