Babar Azam’s Antics After Getting Out Doesn’t Sit Well With BBL Commentators

Pakistan’s BBL embarrassment continues, with Mohammad Rizwan retired out, Shaheen Afridi barred for beamers, and Babar Azam’s angry conduct.

Babar Azam’s Antics After Getting Out Doesn’t Sit Well With BBL Commentators

Babar Azam was slammed by BBL commentators for his angry reaction to his dismissal. (via X)

Babar Azam was involved in an on-field argument with Steve Smith while playing for Sydney Sixers in the BBL, adding to a series of embarrassing incidents that Pakistani players have faced. Azam’s reaction following his dismissal was criticized soon after by the commentators.

The Big Bash League encounter between city rivals Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder at the SCG, was a spectacle. Thunder, batting first, managed to score 189/6, with captain David Warner hitting 110 runs off 65 deliveries. However, the Sixers easily chased down the 190-run target in 17.2 overs, courtesy a record-breaking century from Steve Smith, who built a 141-run opening stand with Babar Azam.

While the two batters dominated proceedings until the 10th over, tensions emerged soon after. Babar Azam scored 47 off 39 balls with the help of seven fours, but was struggling to find the boundary at will and even played three dot balls against Chris Green in the 11th over.

The 31-year-old then pushed the final ball of the over towards long-on and prepared to take a single, but was denied by Steve Smith, who, from the non-striker’s end, indicated that he wished to take the power-surge.

Azam appeared unconvinced, engaging in a brief argument with his opening partner mid-pitch. Smith then smashed an astonishing 32 runs off the very next over, bowled by Ryan Hadley, bringing the Sixers closer to a ten-wicket victory. The partnership ended, however, when Babar Azam lost his wicket on the first ball of the very next over, edging a delivery from Nathan McAndrew onto the stumps.

Azam was absolutely livid after his dismissal and swiftly left the pitch without acknowledging his batting partner. On his walk back, he even struck the boundary ropes with his bat in a visible display of frustration, which became a main topic of discussion among the BBL commentators. His behavior was strongly criticized by Australian legend Mark Waugh, who immediately stated that Azam should not have shown his anger in such a furious manner.

Following the win, Azam was also not seen on the outfield, while the players shook hands. The Pakistani batter was likely to be left sulking, especially since his BBL statistics have been subpar, having scored 201 runs in nine innings at a strike-rate of just 107.49.

Babar Azam mocked by commentators for getting in Steve Smith’s ‘way’ in crazy BBL fielding error

Steve Smith and Babar Azam remained in the news for their actions in a recent BBL match between the two Sydney rivals, the Sixers and Thunder. Before the no-run mix-up, the two veterans caused a moment of confusion while fielding down the ground during the first innings.

Babar Azam and Steve Smith fielding
Babar Azam and Steve Smith were involved in a hilarious fielding error in a recent BBL game. (via Free Press Journal)

The incident occurred when Sydney Thunder’s Nic Maddinson was batting. On the fourth ball of the 16th over by Ben Manenti, Maddinson hit the ball over the umpire’s head. Despite Smith and Azam sprinting toward the ball from their positions at long-off and long-on, they could not prevent it from going for a four. It was a moment of confusion, as neither player signaled for a dive to parry the ball away.

Maddinson went for a similar shot off the very next delivery. This time, however, Steve Smith managed to prevent a boundary by making a fantastic diving effort. Meanwhile, Azam, running in from the other end, attempted to intervene, but Smith asked him not to, before collecting the ball and throwing it back. This sequence amused the BBL commentators, who jokingly urged Azam to ‘get out of Smith’s way’.

Nonetheless, Steve Smith went on to show his prowess not only in fielding but also in batting, as he struck his fourth BBL century during the chase. He scored a remarkable 100 off just 42 balls, hitting five fours and an astonishing nine sixes, at a strike-rate of 238.10.

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