HOBART: Shadab Khan produced a spirited all-round performance, but it ultimately went unrewarded as Hobart Hurricanes clinched a nail-biting victory over Sydney Thunder in the third match of Big Bash League (BBL) 15 at the Bellerive Oval on Tuesday.
Chasing a challenging target of 181, the Hurricanes crossed the line on the penultimate ball of the final over, sealing a four-wicket win in a contest that swung dramatically right to the end.
Hobart got off to a blistering start thanks to openers Mitchell Owen and Nikhil Chaudhary, who wasted no time in putting the Thunder bowlers under pressure. The duo raced to 48 inside just 4.3 overs, with Owen playing the aggressor’s role.
Owen smashed six boundaries and a towering six in a rapid 32 off just 14 balls before being caught, but the early momentum firmly stayed with the home side.
Chaudhary then joined forces with Ben McDermott to keep the chase firmly on track. The pair stitched together a commanding 61-run partnership, ensuring the Hurricanes stayed ahead of the required rate. Their fluent strokeplay saw Hobart reach 109 by the end of the 11th over, putting the Thunder on the back foot.
The stand was finally broken when Chaudhary departed after scoring a well-compiled 41 off 31 deliveries. Shortly after, McDermott was dismissed, offering Sydney Thunder a glimmer of hope. The right-hander struck 38 from 24 balls, including three sixes and a four.
With two quick wickets falling, the Thunder tightened the screws and made the run chase increasingly tense for the incoming Hurricanes batters. However, experienced all-rounder Chris Jordan stepped up with a calm and composed knock down the order.
Jordan first shared a crucial 17-run partnership with Matthew Wade, who chipped in with 25, stabilizing the innings during a pressure phase. He then combined with captain Nathan Ellis to guide the Hurricanes home, adding an unbeaten 13-run stand to finish the job.
Jordan remained not out on 16 from 13 balls, while Ellis stayed unbeaten on five off eight deliveries, ensuring Hobart secured a memorable opening win in front of their home crowd.
For Sydney Thunder, Shadab Khan was once again the standout performer with the ball. The Pakistan all-rounder picked up two wickets in his four-over spell, bowling with control and providing breakthroughs when his side needed them most.
Earlier in the match, Thunder posted a competitive total of 180 for 6 after being asked to bat first. Cameron Bancroft anchored the innings with a composed 61 off 44 balls, striking four boundaries and a six to hold the innings together.
Shadab Khan also made a valuable contribution with the bat, playing a key role during the middle and death overs. The highlight of Thunder’s innings was a vital 59-run partnership between Bancroft and Shadab, which lifted the score from a precarious 79 for 4 to 138 for 5 in the 16.5th over.
Bancroft’s dismissal slowed the momentum briefly, but Shadab ensured the Thunder finished strongly. Batting with intent, he struck two fours and a six on his way to an impactful 34 off 24 balls, giving his team a defendable total.
On the bowling front for Hobart Hurricanes, Billy Stanlake was the pick of the bowlers, claiming three wickets and applying pressure through key phases of the innings. Chris Jordan also impressed with the ball, picking up two wickets in his four-over spell to complement his match-winning contribution with the bat.
Despite Shadab Khan’s all-round display, Sydney Thunder were left to rue missed opportunities in the closing stages, as the Hurricanes held their nerve to kick off their BBL 15 campaign with a thrilling victory.
