Babar Azam fumes after Steve Smith denies single as Mark Waugh questions on-field reaction

Tensions flared during the Sydney derby in the Big Bash League as Babar Azam showed visible frustration following a run-denial by batting partner Steve Smith, drawing criticism from former Australia batter Mark Waugh.

Chasing a target of 190, the Sixers were well placed despite a brief period of confusion between Smith and Babar early in the innings. While Smith looked fluent, Babar struggled to rotate the strike and find boundaries. In the 11th over, after playing a series of dot balls, Babar nudged the final delivery into a gap where a quick single appeared available. However, Smith declined the run from the non-striker’s end.

The decision left Babar visibly stunned. Moments later, the Sixers opted for the Power Surge, and Smith capitalised in emphatic fashion, smashing four consecutive sixes in a record-breaking over that produced 32 runs — the most expensive over in Big Bash League history.

Facing his first delivery after the run-denial, Babar was dismissed for 47, caught out by clever bowling. His reaction on the walk back to the pavilion, including striking the boundary rope with his bat, caught attention in the commentary box.

“That’s not a good look,” Mark Waugh remarked, adding that emotions should be controlled on the field regardless of frustration.

Smith, meanwhile, went on to dominate the chase, bringing up a breathtaking century off just 41 balls. His aggressive innings powered the Sydney Sixers to a comfortable five-wicket win with 16 deliveries remaining, overshadowing an earlier unbeaten 110 by David Warner that had lifted the Thunder to 189. The incident has since sparked debate among fans and pundits about on-field temperament and communication between batting partners in high-pressure matches.