Babar Azam's reaction on being bowled after  Steve Smith denied him a single (X)
Cricket
N
News1817-01-2026, 10:06

Starc Backs Smith in Babar Azam BBL Controversy: 'That's What We Want'

  • Mitchell Starc supported Steve Smith's decision to deny Babar Azam strike during a BBL game, comparing it to retiring out batters in T20s.
  • Smith kept strike to target a shorter boundary against Babar, then smashed 32 runs off Ryan Hadley, a BBL record for a single over.
  • Babar Azam was eventually dismissed on the first ball after getting strike, walking off angrily after a scratchy 47 (39).
  • Smith went on to score a 42-ball century, leading Sydney Sixers to easily chase a 190-run target.
  • The incident adds to pressure on Babar Azam regarding his impact in high-tempo T20 cricket, with both players avoiding post-match duties.

Why It Matters: Mitchell Starc defended Steve Smith's tactical decision in BBL, highlighting its effectiveness in T20 cricket.

More like this

Loading more articles...