Babar Azam found himself at the centre of an eventful and emotionally charged night as the Sydney derby between Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder delivered both fireworks and frustration at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The Pakistan star’s dismissal came moments after Steve Smith denied him a single and then rewrote the Big Bash League record books with a brutal over that completely shifted the momentum of the match.
The turning point arrived late in the 11th over. After Babar had faced a sequence of dot balls, Smith declined a comfortable single on the final delivery, opting instead to keep the strike. The decision looked puzzling at first, especially with Babar visibly confused at the non-striker’s end. But Smith had already made his call with the Sixers activating the Power Surge, the mini powerplay that allows only two fielders outside the 30-yard circle.
What followed was pure carnage. Smith tore into Ryan Hadley, smashing four consecutive sixes and collecting 32 runs in the over — the most ever scored in a single over in Big Bash League history. In a matter of minutes, the game tilted decisively in the Sixers’ favour, while Babar could only watch from the other end.
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The frustration deepened soon after. On the very first ball of the 13th over, Nathan McAndrew breached Babar’s defences, clean bowling him. The dismissal triggered a rare outburst from the usually composed batter. Visibly upset, Babar lashed out at the boundary ropes in anger — a moment that summed up the emotional toll of the evening.
“They’ve said no run to that.”
Steve Smith knocked a run back off the bat of Babar Azam, so he could have the strike for the Power Surge! #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/BaZET2UF2t
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 16, 2026
32 RUNS OFF ONE OVER!
Steve Smith hit four sixes in a row in this wild over at the SCG. #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/fSPEaw3Xoo
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 16, 2026
Despite the manner of his exit, it was still Babar’s most productive outing of the BBL season, with 47 runs off 39 balls. Earlier in the match, Babar and Smith were also involved in a comical fielding mix-up that drew plenty of attention. During the 16th over, Nic Maddinson lofted a shot straight down the ground.
“Wasn’t happy, Babar.” 😳
Drama in the middle of the SCG after Steve Smith knocked back a run from Babar Azam, so he could take strike during the Power Surge. #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/rTh0RXE0A5
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 16, 2026
“GET OUT THE WAY, BABAR!” 😂
How about these incidents with Steve Smith and Babar Azam 🫣 #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/Tnve7qNZvx
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 16, 2026
Steve Smith charged in from long-off while Babar, positioned closer at long-on, appeared better placed. Smith slowed, expecting Babar to take charge, but Babar hesitated and drifted past the ball, allowing it to roll to the boundary. Smith stood with arms outstretched, clearly baffled by the miscommunication.
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The confusion nearly repeated itself on the next ball, but Smith reacted sharply this time, diving to stop the boundary as Babar again moved in before pulling away.
Smith had the final say with the bat, powering his way to a stunning 41-ball century to guide the Sydney Sixers to a five-wicket win, capping off a derby that was equal parts explosive, awkward, and unforgettable.
