Babar Azam and Steve Smith dominated the Sydney derby in the 2025–26 Big Bash League, combining for a decisive 141-run opening partnership that carried the Sydney Sixers to a comfortable chase of 190.
Set 189 for victory, the Sixers began with clarity and confidence. Smith took charge immediately, launching an aggressive assault on the Thunder attack and racing to a sensational 100 from just 41 deliveries. His knock was studded with five fours and nine sixes, highlighted by a historic over in which he smashed four consecutive sixes and a boundary, plundering 32 runs, the most ever conceded in a single over in BBL history.
While Smith provided the fireworks, Babar ensured stability at the other end. The Pakistan batter played a composed innings of 47 from 39 balls, striking seven boundaries and rotating the strike with precision. His calm presence allowed the partnership to flourish, with the Sixers surging past 100 inside the first ten overs. Babar fell just short of what would have been his third influential half-century of the season.
Earlier in the evening, David Warner had given the Sydney Thunder a strong platform with a commanding unbeaten 110 off 65 balls, an innings featuring eleven fours and four sixes. Despite Warner’s brilliance, the Sixers’ opening pair made the chase appear routine, producing a partnership that ultimately settled the derby in emphatic fashion.
