A wave of online abuse has hit Steve Smith’s Instagram after a tense on-field moment involving Babar Azam in the Big Bash League sparked anger among a section of Pakistani fans.
The backlash followed a Sydney Sixers match where Smith refused a quick single, leaving Babar visibly unhappy at the non-striker’s end. Online, a section of supporters claimed the decision disrupted Babar’s rhythm and “cost” him a personal milestone.
The tension seemed to linger, as Babar was dismissed first ball of the next over, edging an attempted big shot onto his stumps. He walked off looking upset and was seen hitting the boundary marker with his bat on the way back.
After the clip circulated widely, Smith’s comment sections were flooded with insults and taunts, including lines such as “Babar is your father”, with some users also dragging up references to Smith’s 2018 ball-tampering scandal.
Babar Azam fans are now spamming Steven Smith’s Instagram comment section.
This is too humiliating. pic.twitter.com/yVCzAhUecY
— Abdullah (@michaelscottfc) January 16, 2026
At the moment, all of Steve Smith’s recent Instagram posts are flooded with comments from angry Babar Azam fans.
This is not the first time Babar’s supporters have swarmed an Australian player’s social media during BBL 15. Earlier in the season, Marcus Stoinis faced a similar online pile-on after an on-field exchange with Babar during a Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers match at the MCG.
Following that incident, Stoinis’s Instagram posts were reportedly flooded with comments like “King Babar,” with fans sharing screenshots claiming one post drew more comments than likes.
The online reaction was triggered after Stoinis repeatedly tried to get under Babar’s skin during his innings, then celebrated aggressively after taking his wicket and was heard saying words to the effect of “See you later, Babar.”
