Smith And Babar Azam Quash Rift As Rauf Sparks Laughter In BBL

The Big Bash League (BBL) has always served up its fair share of drama and dazzling performances, but this week, the spotlight shone even brighter on two of cricket’s biggest stars: Steve Smith and Babar Azam. Their on-field exchange during the Sydney Sixers’ clash with Sydney Thunder, followed by a playful incident involving Haris Rauf and Finn Allen in a separate BBL match, has set tongues wagging across the cricketing world. But what really happened between Smith and Babar? And how did Rauf’s antics add to an already eventful BBL week?

Let’s start at Moore Park on January 16, 2026. The Sydney Sixers were locked in a high-stakes BBL encounter with the Sydney Thunder. The tension was palpable as the Sixers approached the Power Surge—those critical overs where momentum can swing wildly. Babar Azam, the Pakistani maestro, was batting alongside Australia’s Steve Smith. In the 11th over, Babar looked to sneak a single, but Smith, intent on seizing the moment, turned him down. Cameras caught Babar’s visible disappointment, and the cricketing world took notice.

What happened next was pure BBL theatre. Smith, now in full control, unleashed a barrage of four consecutive sixes in the very next over, hammering 32 runs and dramatically shifting the match’s momentum. Babar, put back on strike in the following over, was dismissed off the first ball he faced. As he trudged off, frustration got the better of him—he struck the boundary cushion with his bat, a moment that would soon be replayed and dissected by fans and pundits alike.

Post-match, the drama didn’t let up. CODE Sports reported that Babar didn’t participate in the post-match proceedings, instead staying behind in the dressing room. The report described his reaction as an “epic dummy spit” and a “stunning tantrum,” suggesting that the former Pakistan captain felt slighted by Smith’s decision to deny him the single. With the rumour mill in overdrive, it was even claimed that Sixers head coach Greg Shipperd had to step in to calm the situation.

But was this a genuine fallout or just the heat of the moment? Steve Smith himself addressed the speculation live on broadcast before the Sixers’ next game against Brisbane Heat at the Gabba. Presenter Isa Guha wasted no time, asking, “Have you and Babar made up?” Smith, unfazed, brushed off any suggestion of lingering tension. “Nah, he’s good. We were just chatting before. I thought he batted really well the other night and we had a good partnership. We were talking about our golf there. He’s looking forward to tonight and it’s a nice wicket, so I hope we can get off to a good start again,” Smith said, as footage rolled of the two chatting casually during pre-match training.

Smith also offered clarity on the tactical call that sparked the debate. “We spoke at the ten-over mark and they said take the surge straightaway. I said, ‘Nah, give it one over. I want to hit to the short boundary. I don’t want to mess 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,” Smith explained to Channel 7. The bat, as Smith put it, did the talking—and the scoreboard certainly backed up his strategy.

Babar Azam, for his part, scored a measured 47 off 39 balls at a strike rate of 120.51, contributing significantly to the Sixers’ cause before his unfortunate dismissal. While he was visibly frustrated in the moment, Smith’s comments and their relaxed interaction at the Gabba seemed to put any rumours of a rift to bed. Head coach Greg Shipperd’s intervention, as reported, was more about keeping team harmony than diffusing any genuine animosity.

If that wasn’t enough excitement for one BBL week, another headline-grabbing moment unfolded during the Perth Scorchers’ chase against the Melbourne Stars. Pakistan’s Haris Rauf, known for his fiery pace and even fierier personality, crossed paths with New Zealand’s Finn Allen at the end of the third over. Rauf, having just finished his over, gave Allen a strong shove on the shoulder—a move that, at first glance, might’ve raised eyebrows. But what followed left fans and players alike in stitches. Allen, recognizing the jest, burst out laughing. Rauf joined in, and the two shook hands and patted each other on the back. The incident, captured on video and widely shared, was quickly embraced as a moment of light-hearted sportsmanship.

“All’s well that ends well between Haris Rauf and Finn Allen,” the official BBL account posted, summing up the mood perfectly. It was a welcome reminder that, amid the competitive fire, cricket retains its sense of camaraderie and fun.

Rauf, of course, is no stranger to controversy. Just a few months prior, in November 2025, he was fined 30% of his match fee and handed a two-ODI suspension for accumulating four demerit points during the Asia Cup. The penalties stemmed from offensive gestures mocking Indian military actions—a serious breach that resulted in a two-match ban under ICC rules. Rauf’s track record for passionate, sometimes provocative, on-field behaviour is well-documented, but the Perth incident was all in good fun, a far cry from his earlier disciplinary troubles.

This confluence of incidents—Smith’s tactical masterclass and subsequent media storm, Babar’s emotional response, and Rauf’s playful shove—has reignited debates about the pressures and personalities that define modern cricket. How much of what we see is genuine friction, and how much is simply the natural ebb and flow of elite sport? In Smith’s words, it all comes down to communication and trust within the team. “We had a good partnership. We were talking about our golf there,” he reiterated, signaling that, whatever the on-field drama, the off-field camaraderie remains intact.

The BBL, now deep into its 2025–26 season, continues to be a crucible for such moments—where tactics, emotion, and entertainment collide. Fans have been treated to explosive batting, tactical brilliance, and the kind of unscripted drama that makes cricket so compelling. With the Sixers pushing for a playoff berth and the Stars and Scorchers locked in their own battles, every match feels like a story in itself.

As the action rolls on, one thing is certain: the BBL’s blend of world-class talent and larger-than-life personalities guarantees that the headlines will keep coming. Whether it’s a tactical call that sparks debate, a playful shove that ends in laughter, or a coach’s steady hand keeping the peace, this season is shaping up to be one for the ages. And with Smith, Babar, and Rauf at the heart of the action, fans wouldn’t have it any other way.

For now, the Sixers appear united, the Stars and Scorchers are locked in fierce competition, and the BBL’s spirit of rivalry and respect remains as vibrant as ever. Stay tuned—because if this week is anything to go by, there’s plenty more drama, brilliance, and camaraderie to come.