Australian cricket star Steve Smith has become the target of widespread online harassment after a tense moment involving Babar Azam during a Big Bash League match triggered anger among a section of Pakistani fans. The incident has sparked debate across social media, highlighting once again how on-field moments can quickly escalate into online abuse.
The controversy began during a Sydney Sixers fixture when Steve Smith, batting alongside Babar Azam, declined a quick single. The decision left Babar visibly frustrated at the non-striker’s end, with television cameras capturing his reaction. While such moments are common in professional cricket, the clip quickly gained traction online.
Soon after, Babar Azam was dismissed on the very first ball of the next over. Attempting an aggressive shot, he edged the ball back onto his stumps and walked off looking visibly upset. As he returned to the pavilion, Babar was seen striking the boundary marker with his bat, further fueling speculation that the earlier incident had affected his mindset.
Once the video began circulating widely, a section of fans directed their anger toward Steve Smith on social media platforms, particularly Instagram. Many users accused Smith of disrupting Babar’s rhythm and claimed that the refusal to take the single “cost” the Pakistani star a personal milestone in the match.
Smith’s Instagram comment sections were soon flooded with insults, taunts, and abusive remarks. Some comments included provocative statements such as “Babar is your father,” while others revisited Smith’s past controversies, including repeated references to the 2018 ball-tampering scandal.
The scale of the backlash was evident as nearly all of Smith’s recent posts became overwhelmed with hostile comments. Many neutral fans and observers criticized the behavior, calling it unnecessary and harmful to the spirit of the game. Several users also pointed out that running decisions in cricket are split-second calls and part of normal match situations.
Cricket analysts noted that both players are seasoned professionals and that on-field disagreements do not always indicate deeper issues. They emphasized that holding individual players responsible for dismissals oversimplifies the complexities of the sport.
The incident has reignited discussions about online fan culture and the growing problem of athlete harassment on social media. While passionate support is a defining feature of cricket fandom, experts warn that personal attacks and abuse cross a clear line.
Neither Steve Smith nor Babar Azam has publicly commented on the incident or the online backlash so far. However, the episode serves as another reminder of how quickly social media reactions can spiral beyond the game itself.
