WATCH: Steve Smith stops play for bizarre reason vs Pakistan in Sydney

Rain finally relented as Sydney Cricket Ground saw play resume on the third day of the final Australia vs Pakistan Test. The morning session began with Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne batting together with the home team still trailing.

There was a slight delay in play before Salman Agha could begin bowling the seventy-first over of the innings. Steve Smith could be seen talking to the umpire and pointing toward the sight-screen. No one was sure what had happened to cause the delay in play.

Well the extended delay ends with the retrieval of... whatever that is #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/ZoFGEiohZm

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 5, 2024

It soon came to light that there was a black tape that was causing the distraction to the batter. It took many ground staff to figure out the delay but once the main issue was sorted Smith was ready to take guard again. 

Commentators left laughing over Smith’s attention to detail –

While the world was confused over the delay that was caused by Steve Smith, the commentators could be heard laughing. Former England skipper Michael Vaughan said, “Surely, it’s not that little thing there, surely not”

Former Kiwi player Ian Smith said “Don’t bet against it. Do not bet against it being a distraction. I mean, we’re guessing up here folks because we are not out there and we’re trying to make it sound as ridiculous as it is. That surely cannot be the reason.”

Just as Ian Smith was trying to defend Steve Smith, the tape turned out to be the actual culprit. There were more hilarious comments to come from the men in the commentary booth. Ian Smith simply said, “You know those days when you think you have seen everything.”

Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle was quick to remark “I think there’s a few people who can't believe it. Including some of the Pakistani players”. Over five minutes were lost in a Test match where rain had created havoc on the opening two days.

Babar Azam held onto an easy catch as Steve Smith was dismissed by Mir Hamza for 38. Labuschagne was the next to go when he was out for 60 with a sharp turning delivery from Agha Salman bowled him.

Travis Head couldn’t get going when he was out LBW to Aamer Jamal for 10. Mitchell Marsh scored yet another fifty to help his side get closer to the Pakistani total. Sajid Khan broke the 84-run sixth wicket stand when he got the wicket of Alex Carey for 38. Aamer Jamal struck twice in two balls after Tea when he dismissed Marsh and Cummins in successive balls.