Mitchell Starc, the Australian and Sydney Sixers fast bowler, backed Steve Smith on the recent "no-single" moment with Babar Azam in Big Bash League(BBL) match against Sydney Thunder. The moment divided the viewers on social media as fans wondered why Smith had to turn down single.

 

Starc said:

 

''I didn't catch it live, but I know Smith did it for a reason. It's part of T20 at the moment where batsmen are making sure they establish match-ups that suit them."

 

Why Did Smith Decline the Single

 

This happened just before the Sixers got the Power Surge in the 11th over. Smith has not taken a single so that he can subsequently hit off more balls across the shorter boundary. At that time, Babar was batting at a strike rate of 120.

 

This worked brilliantly. Smith blitzed a quick-fire 32 runs off Ryan Hadley's over, the most runs scored in a single BBL over. In the next over, Smith again tried to keep the strike, but this time Babar got the strike and was dismissed first ball. Babar walked off frustrated after scoring a shaky 47 from 39 balls.

 

Starc explained his side by stating:

 

"I didn't actually see it. I kind of heard something from someone else just before, but I haven't seen it. So [I] might have to go and have a look, and make an opinion from there. I mean it's part of T20 cricket if you see a match-up you like [that]. Clearly he [Smith] did, and took it for 34 [32] or something like that."

 

Starc also tied this into another new trend in T20 with:

 

"We've kind of seen it with teams retiring batters as well-you see a matchup that might be better or whatever it may be. So, yes, Smithy must have liked that matchup, and took him on."

 

Also Read | BBL: Steve Smith Records Joint Second-Fastest Hundred in Tournament History

 

Babar Under Pressure as Sixers Look Ahead

 

Both Smith and Babar decided to skip post-match media duties, hence averting any further public discussion regarding the moment. This time, Babar was under pressure from all sides concerning slow scoring in T20s and rekindled questions concerning his BBL numbers.

 

However, Starc told that the Sixers are focused on their upcoming match against Brisbane Heat. Said Starc:

 

"[They are] two guys that have played a lot of international cricket, two guys that love performing, and that was one of our best partnerships up the top. Hopefully, that continues over the next 48 hours on a wicket that seems to be pretty good for batting."

 

Sixers want to stay tension-free and continue playing united as they know that even the smallest problem in the team can take a toll in knockout games.