Steve Smith's Calculated Move Denies Babar Azam in BBL Clash
Steve Smith made a bold strategic decision during the Big Bash League derby between Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder. He deliberately denied Babar Azam a single run at a crucial moment in the match. This incident occurred at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday, creating significant drama during the Sixers' innings chase.
The Controversial Moment Unfolds
Babar Azam faced three consecutive dot balls in the 11th over of the match. When he finally connected with the ball and hit it toward long-on, Steve Smith refused to take the single. Smith stood firm at the non-striker's end, leaving the former Pakistan captain stranded without scoring.
Smith's decision proved immediately justified. He activated the 'Power Surge' right after denying Babar the single. This special playing condition allows only two fielders outside the inner ring, creating excellent batting opportunities.
Record-Breaking Performance Follows
Taking full advantage of the Power Surge, Steve Smith unleashed an explosive batting display in the very next over. He smashed Ryan Hadley for four consecutive sixes and added a boundary in the first five deliveries. Hadley conceded 32 runs in that single over, setting a new record for the highest-scoring over in BBL history.
However, the drama continued in the following over. Nathan McAndrew clean bowled Babar Azam, ending his innings at 47 runs from 39 balls. Frustration overwhelmed Babar as he walked back to the dressing room. He expressed his anger by slamming his bat against the boundary cushion.
Smith Reveals His Strategic Thinking
Steve Smith later explained his controversial decision during a post-match interview. He revealed that the team management had instructed him to take the Power Surge at the 10-over mark. Smith decided to delay the move by one over to maximize its impact.
"At the 10-over mark, they asked me to take the power surge," Smith told 7Cricket. "I told him to give me one more over. I planned to take it on the short boundary and aim for 30 runs. We actually got 32 runs, which was an excellent result. I'm not sure Babar Azam was too happy with me for turning down that single."
The strategic move clearly paid off for Smith and the Sydney Sixers, though it left Babar Azam visibly frustrated. This incident highlights the intense tactical battles that characterize modern T20 cricket, where every decision can dramatically change a match's outcome.
