Steve Smith opens up on tensions with Babar Azam during Sixers’ power surge

Sydney Sixers' aggressive batter Steve Smith has opened up on the tension that emerged with Babar Azam during their century partnership against Sydney Thunder at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Friday. 

The disagreement occurred when Smith denied Babar a single so he could take the first over of the Power Surge—the two overs of batting powerplay available after the tenth over in the BBL.

After three dot balls from Chris Green in the 11th over, Babar pushed the final delivery to long-on, but Smith indicated he wanted to take the surge himself. At that point, Babar was 47 off 38 balls and Smith on 58 off 28. 

The decision appeared to frustrate Babar, who showed visible disappointment when the pair met briefly mid-pitch between overs.

Smith then unleashed a record-breaking 32-run 12th over against Ryan Hadley, hitting four consecutive sixes—the most expensive over in BBL history. 

Although initially reluctant to take a second run on the final ball, Smith eventually did, giving Babar the strike for the 13th over. 

The right-handed batter was dismissed first ball, edging a heave onto his stumps, and walked off angrily, striking the boundary marker with his bat.

Speaking during the post-match presentation, Smith explained his tactics.

"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. Not sure Babar was too happy with me knocking back that single."

Overall this season, the 31-year-old has scored 201 runs at an average of 28.71 with a strike rate of 107.48. 

Friday's events came shortly after Mohammad Rizwan was retired out for Melbourne Renegades, also against Thunder, earlier in the week. 

Rizwan was on 26 off 23 balls when captain Will Sutherland signaled him to retire at the boundary and sent in a replacement. Rizwan was later run out while backing up for a single.