Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has sparked a major debate by dragging Virat Kohli into the Steve Smith-Babar Azam controversy from the Big Bash League. The row started when Smith denied Babar a single during the Sydney Sixers’ chase against Sydney Thunder on January 16, leaving the Pakistan star visibly upset. While some former Pakistan players, including Kamran Akmal, called it disrespectful, Basit defended Smith and claimed Babar brought it upon himself with his batting approach.

The incident that started it all

Chasing 190 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Smith and Babar had already added 141 runs for the opening wicket when the moment of tension arrived. Babar, batting in the 40s, called for a single off the final ball of the 11th over, but Smith sent him back. The Australian then took the Power Surge in the next over and smashed 32 runs off Ryan Hadley—the most expensive over in BBL history. Babar was dismissed on the first ball of the 13th over and showed his frustration by hitting the boundary cushions with his bat.

Reports later claimed that Babar told his Sydney Sixers teammates in the dressing room that he felt disrespected by Smith’s decision to deny him the single.

Kamran Akmal backs Babar, calls it disrespect

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal criticized Smith’s approach, saying the Australian should have communicated his plan before the over ended. “This shouldn’t have happened. I understand Smith hit a fast hundred. He could have told Babar before that the ball ‘Don’t take a single’. Not like this. This is a disrespect,” Akmal said on YouTube.

Akmal added that if the Sydney Sixers management was unhappy with Babar’s form, they should have dropped him rather than treating him this way. “If Sydney Sixers aren’t happy with Babar, drop him. Don’t disrespect him like this. Make him sit out, only… But don’t do this,” he said.

Basit Ali defends Smith, drags Kohli into the debate

Basit Ali, however, took a completely opposite view and put the blame squarely on Babar. He argued that Smith proved his decision right by smashing 32 runs in the next over, and claimed that Smith would never have dared to deny the strike if Virat Kohli was in Babar’s place.

“Smith proved it next over. At one point, I thought he would hit 6 sixes in that over. He answered it, na? If Virat Kohli had wanted to take this single like Babar Azam, Steve Smith ka baap bhi single leta!” Basit said. The phrase translates to “even Smith’s father would have accepted it,” a strong statement emphasizing that Smith would never refuse a player of Kohli’s stature.

Basit further added that Babar had lowered his own value with his recent batting performances, and said people blaming Pakistan cricket for the incident were foolish. “You have brought your own value down with your game. Pakistan’s name is not sullied by this. People who say that are fools. Babar went to play Big Bash because he was invited there, but the Pakistan cricket board didn’t send him,” Basit said.

Why the controversy refuses to die down

The debate around the incident continues because of what it represents—respect, team dynamics, and the standing of players in international cricket. Smith’s tactical decision turned out to be match-winning, but Babar’s visible frustration and the reports of him feeling disrespected in the dressing room have kept the story alive.

Basit’s comparison with Virat Kohli added fuel to the fire, as it directly questioned Babar’s standing and form in world cricket. The comment quickly made headlines and sparked heated reactions among fans on social media.