The drama surrounding cricket star Babar Azam’s on-field BBL blow-up has continued amid reports the Sixers recruit shut himself away in the change rooms after he felt “disrespected” by teammate Steve Smith.
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Azam did not join his Sixers teammates out onto the SCG on Friday night to shake hands with rivals the Sydney Thunder.
It was during the Sixers’ five-wicket win that Smith knocked back Azam for a single to ensure he could have strike for the following power surge – where less fielders are allowed out on the rope.
Clearly unhappy with that decision, Azam’s ill-feelings reportedly spilled over with claims Azam isolated himself from teammates after being dismissed for 47 off 39 balls.
Code Sports is reporting Azam felt “disrespected” by Smith’s move to knock back the single at the end of the 11th over.
Smith would go on to smash a record 32 runs off that following power surge over after taking the strike for himself.
But Azam was in no mood to celebrate – instead refusing to acknowledge Smith’s historic efforts before the star recruit got out next ball he faced.
Azam smacked the boundary rope on his way off the field in frustration, drawing the ire of an Aussie cricket great.
“Whatever you’re feeling, you don’t show that,” Mark Waugh said of the boundary rope/bat contact.
“It’s not a good feeling for the team environment.”
Waugh was later critical of Azam’s post-match antics.
“Babar refused to come out and shake hands. He was gone for the night,” he said.
“I don’t know where he was… it wasn’t a good look.”
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Former Australian vice-captain Brad Haddin conceded Azam “wasn’t happy” to have played “second fiddle” to Smith.
“Steve Smith has knocked the run back because he wants to be the one on strike for the power surge,” Haddin said.
“(Babar) needs to be happy – that’s a smart tactical move there.”
After Smith smacked Ryan Hadley for four consecutive sixes to start the surge over, Azam was unmoved.
“Babar shouldn’t be upset – it’s Steve Smith’s role,” Haddin said.
“He hasn’t moved Babar – he has not said well done to Steve Smith once!
“He’s not happy.
“I don’t think he spoke to him (in that surge over).”
Waugh even called Azam a “decoration” given the one-man role Smith was playing.
“You only need one batsman here,” he said.
Both Michael Vaughan and Adam Gilchrist also agreed that Azam was in the wrong, crediting Smith for delivering in one of the bigger moments in the game.
“In team sport you have to make some decisions sometimes that individuals might not like, but Smith did exactly the right thing when you have made that call and smacked 32 off the over,” Vaughan said.
“And the first ball of the next surge over Babar got out and right in front of some young kids learning about sportsmanship and teamwork, he put on that display,” Gilchrist added of Azam hitting the boundary rope with his bat in frustration.
“That’s disappointing. He is a class act Babar Azam and he has been great to have in the tournament this year.
“He is loved the world over, so it is a bit disappointing that came through. But well done Smith, he absolutely nailed the right moment for his team.”
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Speaking after he posted the equal second fastest BBL century, Smith conceded his teammate didn’t agree with his decision.
“I’m not sure Babar was too happy with me knocking back that single though,” he said after claiming his man of the match honours.
Former Sixer Steve O’Keefe said the decision to put Smith on strike was the right call.
“He’s (Babar) not a big power hitter – that was evident when Steve Smith knocked him back in the power surge,” he said on Fox Cricket.
“This guy hits the ball better than anyone through the off side.
“I’m sure he looked disappointed… Steve Smith knocked him back for that single. It’s a selfless thing that Steve was trying to do – and you know I think he vindicated himself by hitting over 30 runs.
“But clearly Babar not too happy about it.”
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