Cricket emotions often run high in fast-paced formats and the Big Bash League clash between Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder was a perfect example of that. What started as a tactical call by Steve Smith soon turned into a talking point after his on-field moment with Babar Azam grabbed attention. Now, Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc has weighed in, offering calm support to his teammate.
Mitchell Starc admitted he did not witness the incident live, but after hearing about it, he felt the reaction was being overblown. According to him, Steve Smith’s decision to keep the strike during a crucial phase of the chase was simply part of modern T20 thinking. With teams constantly looking for favourable match-ups, Mitchell Starc felt Steve Smith saw an opportunity and backed himself, something that is now common in the shortest format.
The moment occurred just before the Sixers activated the Power Surge in the 11th over. With two extra overs of fielding restrictions available, Steve Smith chose not to rotate the strike to Babar, who was scoring steadily but without explosive acceleration. Steve Smith wanted to face the bowling himself and target the shorter boundary and the plan worked brilliantly. He went on to smash 32 runs off Ryan Hadley, setting a new BBL record for the most runs in an over.
Steve Smith nearly kept the strike again in the following over but Babar Azam eventually faced the first delivery and was dismissed immediately. The Pakistani batter walked off visibly frustrated after a difficult knock of 47 from 39 balls. Meanwhile, Steve Smith continued his dominance, racing to a stunning century off just 42 balls as the Sixers chased down a challenging 190-run target comfortably.
Mitchell Starc later explained that such moments are not personal and should be viewed through a tactical lens. He compared the situation to teams retiring batters mid-innings to gain an advantage, saying it all comes down to reading conditions and trusting instincts. From his perspective, Steve Smith liked the match-up and delivered exactly what the team needed during the Power Surge.
Australian media reported that both Steve Smith and Babar Azam kept a low profile after the match, likely to avoid further scrutiny. For Babar, the incident added to an already tough tournament, where his performances have drawn criticism amid questions about his effectiveness in high-intensity T20 cricket.
With the Sixers heading into a must-win clash against Brisbane Heat, Mitchell Starc stressed the importance of unity. He described Steve Smith and Babar Azam as competitive, experienced professionals who thrive on performing, expressing hope that their strong partnership at the top would continue when it matters the most.
