BBL horror! Fire breaks out near Optus Stadium during Big Bash League Qualifier featuring Babar Azam, Steve Smith

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Small Fire Has Broken Out Outside Optus Stadium During The Sydney Sixers Vs Perth Scorchers Playoff BBL Qualifier

Panic briefly spread outside the Optus Stadium in Perth during the high-voltage Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Sixers Qualifier in the Big Bash League 2025-26 (BBL 2025-26) after heavy smoke was seen rising near one of the stadium gates.

Heavy smoke erupts outside Optus Stadium during the BBL Qualifier

The scary moment happened while the Scorchers vs Sydney Sixers Qualifier was going on, around the 16th over. The thick smoke could be seen coming from just outside the stadium. Fans and officials quickly noticed the smoke, and concern grew as clips started circulating on social media.

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Even the Big Bash League later shared a video of the incident on X, showing the smoke coming from just outside the Optus Stadium area. Security staff and stadium officials reacted immediately.

Several security personnel were seen rushing towards the affected area where the smoke was coming from to control the situation and make sure there was no panic among fans and players. It looks like the smoke has come from a small fire behind the stands, possibly involving glass or waste material.

Scorchers slip to 147 after Finn Allen’s departure

Speaking about the match, the Sydney Sixers have won the toss and invited the Perth Scorchers to bat first in the BBL 2025-26 Qualifier at the Optus Stadium. The Sixers put on a strong bowling performance and restricted the Scorchers to 147 runs in the Qualifier on Tuesday.

Perth started well, with Finn Allen once again looking sharp at the top and giving a strong start to the side. But Allen’s wicket became a big turning point for the hosts. After New Zealand was dismissed for 49 runs off 30 balls, the Scorchers collapsed badly, slipping from 67/1 to 87/5.

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Wickets kept falling, and the batters could not settle with the Sixers bowling tight lines and didn’t give away too many runs. The Perth Scorchers captain, Ashton Turner, tried hard to save the innings, but he didn’t get the support from the other end, and he was eventually dismissed for 29 runs off 21 balls.

Jhye Richardson (20) then added some useful runs at the end and helped Perth post 147/9 on the board against the Sixers at the Optus Stadium. Mitchell Starc, Ben Dwarshuis, and Jack Edwards each scalped two wickets for the Sixers, while Joel Davies and Ben Manenti have gotten one wicket each in Perth.

Mahli Beardman on fire as Perth Scorchers shake Sydney Sixers’ chase

However, defending the target, the Scorchers had a great start, as they have taken six wickets for just 74 runs and put the Sixers under immense pressure. Mahli Beardman has so far been lethal for the Scorchers, and he was well supported by Cooper Connolly, who already took two wickets.

Now, the Sixers still need 60+ runs in 48 balls to book the berth in the BBL 2025-26 final. However, the loser will have the opportunity to face the winner of the eliminator in the Challenger to make it to the summit clash of the ongoing Big Bash League season.