Steve Smith’s assessment rings true as Babar Azam’s torrid run in BBL continues

Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam’s difficult stint in the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-2026 reached a new low during the Sydney Sixers' high-stakes encounter against Brisbane Heat. Opening the innings at the Gabba alongside cricket legend Steve Smith, Babar was expected to help chase down a target of 172. However, he once again struggled to find his rhythm on a challenging pitch, eventually falling to pacer Xavier Bartlett in the second over after scoring just a single run off seven balls.

Babar Azam's horror show at BBL continues

This latest failure follows a period of intense scrutiny regarding Babar's scoring rate. In the Sixers' previous match against the Sydney Thunder, the team secured a five-wicket victory, but Babar's performance sparked significant debate. While his opening partner Steve Smith smashed a spectacular century off only 41 deliveries, Babar remained at the crease for 39 balls to score 47 runs.

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Despite an opening partnership of 141 runs in that fixture, critics pointed to Babar’s strike rate of 120.51 as a concern for the modern T20 game. His inability to accelerate, combined with this most recent cheap dismissal in a must-win game, has intensified the pressure on the Pakistani star as the tournament reaches its business end.

What's the fuss about Steve Smith and Babar Azam?

A tense moment unfolded during the 10th over when Steve Smith openly showed his lack of confidence in Babar Azam's scoring rate. After Babar played three consecutive dot balls, Smith denied him a single on the final delivery to ensure he kept the strike for himself. This tactical decision proved historic; Smith immediately took the Power Surge and hammered 32 runs off Ryan Hadley in the following over, setting a new record for the most runs ever scored in a single over in the Big Bash League's 15-year history.

Despite the fact that Smith's aggressive play brought the Sydney Sixers to the brink of victory, Babar was visibly frustrated by his partner's decision to farm the strike. This irritation seemed to affect his focus, as he was dismissed on the very next ball he faced, falling just short of a half-century. His exit was a heated one, as he walked back to the dressing room in a fit of rage, striking the boundary rope with his bat in a rare public display of anger. Babar's subsequent failure in Sunday's fixture has only weakened his position, as his prolonged slump continues to draw heavy criticism.