Watch: Sahibzada Farhan refuses to give strike to Steve Smith in PSL 2026 clash

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 delivered one of its most talked-about moments during a match between Multan Sultans and Quetta Gladiators. Australian batter Steve Smith appeared visibly frustrated after his batting partner, Sahibzada Farhan, declined a single on the final ball of the over. The decision drew immediate attention, as it disrupted the flow of the innings and raised questions about on-field communication and match awareness.

The incident quickly gained traction on social media, with fans and analysts revisiting a similar situation earlier this year involving Smith and Babar Azam. Many observers suggested that Farhan’s refusal to run mirrored that earlier moment, leading to speculation about whether the act was intentional or purely situational.

Online reactions were swift and divided. While some users criticized the decision as poor judgment, others described it as poetic justice. The comparison between the two incidents fueled debate, with many concluding that the situation had come full circle in a striking manner.

Watch the video here:

Sahibzada Farhan keeps strike despite Steve Smith at the non-striker’s end

The incident happened on the last ball of an over. Steve Smith wanted to take a quick single to keep the strike after a strong start. However, Sahibzada Farhan said no to the run, and Smith had to turn back. Smith looked clearly upset, and the moment quickly became popular on social media.

The situation became more interesting because it was very similar to an earlier event with Babar Azam. In the Big Bash League, Smith had once refused a single to Babar in a similar way to keep the strike. That decision worked well for Smith, but Babar was left disappointed. Multan Sultans were off to a very good start, with Smith batting very well. On the last ball of the third over, Smith pushed the ball and ran for a quick single to keep the strike. But Farhan did not move and clearly said no.

Smith raised his arms in frustration at the non-striker’s end. He wanted to face the next over as he was batting very well. While the decision may have been tactical to avoid a run-out, many people on social media compared it to the earlier Big Bash League match.

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Backstory behind Farhan’s decision to deny strike to Steve Smith

Fans quickly linked this moment to an earlier incident in the Big Bash League. During that match, Steve Smith, playing for the Sydney Sixers, refused a single to Babar Azam during an important phase of the game. At that time, Babar was close to his half-century and looked unhappy with the decision. Smith’s choice helped his team, but it left Babar disappointed.

Because of this, many Pakistani fans saw Sahibzada Farhan’s action as a quiet form of “revenge” for their national captain. The comparison quickly spread online, and the moment gained wide attention.

Despite the brief tension on the field, Smith stayed calm and focused on his game. He went on to score an important 53 runs from 35 balls. His performance helped Multan Sultans secure the win and move to the top of the PSL points table.

Fans react to surprising incident involving Smith

Fans reacted strongly to the surprising moment involving Steve Smith during the match. Many took to social media to share their opinions, with reactions ranging from support to criticism. Some fans felt that Sahibzada Farhan’s decision was unusual and questioned the timing of the call, especially when Smith was batting so well. Others, however, believed it was a smart and safe choice to avoid any risk of a run-out.

Here is how the netizens reacted: