Sydney Thunder spinner Chris Green publicly commented on Babar Azam's T20 batting style on Friday, January 17, 2026. This came after an on-field incident where Sydney Sixers teammate Steve Smith denied Azam a single run, then smashed 32 runs in a single over during their Big Bash League (BBL) match. The drama unfolded during the Sydney derby at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), where the Sixers secured a five-wicket victory over the Thunder.[hindustantimes+5]
The On-Field Drama
The tension began in the 11th over of the Sixers' chase. Babar Azam, batting on 47 runs off 36 balls, hit a delivery towards long-on and called for a single.However, his non-striker, Steve Smith, immediately refused the run. Smith wanted to keep the strike to maximize scoring during the upcoming Power Surge, a two-over period where only two fielders are allowed outside the inner circle.[hindustantimes+8]
Smith's decision proved effective for the team. In the very next over, he launched an aggressive assault, hitting four consecutive sixes off Thunder bowler Ryan Hadley.This over yielded 32 runs, making it the most expensive over in BBL history.Smith, who was 52 off 28 balls at the time of the denied single, went on to score a blistering century off just 41 deliveries.[hindustantimes+16]
Smith later explained his tactical reasoning. "We spoke at the ten-over mark, and they [the captain and coach] said take the surge straightaway," Smith told Channel 7. "I was like, 'Nah, give it one over. I want to hit to the short boundary. I don't want to screw up the first over. I'll try to get 30 off that over'. I think we got 32, so it was a good result."[timesofindia+4]
Green's Assessment
The incident quickly became a talking point. During the broadcast, Thunder spinner Chris Green offered a candid assessment of Babar Azam's approach in T20 cricket. Green stated that the Thunder bowlers were content to have Azam on strike early in an innings.[hindustantimes+1]
"We want to get Babar Azam facing as many balls as possible up front," Green said on air. "He likes to sort of ease his way into things and then play catch-up. So try and force him to hit."[hindustantimes+1]
Green's comments highlight a perceived characteristic of Azam's batting. Azam's career T20 strike rate stands at 128.59, which is the fourth lowest among batters who have faced at least 7,000 balls in the format.In the current BBL season, Azam has scored 201 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 107.8, including two half-centuries.His innings against the Thunder saw him score 47 runs off 39 balls, at a strike rate of 120.51.A commentator during the match also took a "pointed dig" at Azam, suggesting that Smith's decision to deny the single implied "you can't hit a six."[hindustantimes+10]
Fallout and Clarification
Babar Azam's frustration was evident on the field. After Smith's explosive over, Azam was dismissed on the very first ball he faced in the subsequent over, chopping a delivery onto his stumps for 47 runs.As he walked off the field, Azam was seen smashing his bat against the boundary rope in anger.Former Australian batter Mark Waugh commented on the incident, saying, "Wasn't happy, Babar. Not a good look, that. Whatever you are feeling you don't show that."[m+10]
Reports from CODE Sports also suggested that Azam did not take the field for post-match proceedings, reportedly feeling "disrespected" by Smith's decision.These reports labeled Azam's reaction as a "stunning tantrum."[timesofindia+3]
Despite the on-field tension and subsequent media speculation, Steve Smith has downplayed any lasting fallout between the two players. Speaking ahead of the Sixers' match against Brisbane Heat, Smith addressed a direct question about their relationship.[timesofindia+1]
"Nah, he's good. We were just chatting before," Smith told broadcasters. "I thought he batted really well the other night and we had a good partnership. We were talking about our golf there. He's looking forward to tonight and it's a nice wicket, so I hope we can get off to a good start again."Smith had previously acknowledged Azam's unhappiness, stating, "Not sure Babar was too happy with me knocking back that single."The focus for both players now appears to be on their team's performance in the ongoing tournament.[timesofindia+7]
