Hobart: Pakistan international Shadab Khan’s all-round exploits were not enough to start Sydney Thunder’s 15th Big Bash League (PBL) with a win over Hobart Hurricanes at Bellerive Oval on Tuesday.
After the underwhelming debuts of compatriots Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab has lived up to the hype created around the Pakistani players in the ongoing league.
With the Thunder at 79/4, right out to bat at No.6, Shadab scored 34 off just 24 balls with two fours and a six, and oversaw the visitors’ innings till the penultimate ball.
His quick knock after Cameron Bancroft’s half-century helped the Thunder post a mammoth total of 180/6 in 20 overs.
The 27-year-old bowled the Thunder with 2 for 36 in his four overs, while his teammates Daniel Sams, Nathan McAndrew, Tanveer Sangha and Chris Green managed to pick up a wicket each.
Despite his bowling prowess, chasing a target of 181 runs, the hosts managed a hard-fought win against the Thunder by four wickets.
Top-order batsmen Nikhil Chaudhary and Ben McDermott led the Hurricanes with 41 and 38 runs respectively, while wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade (25) and veteran all-rounder Chris Jordan (16 not out) were key contributors in the backline.
Jordan, who posted decent bowling figures of 2/36 from his four overs before his sensible knock under pressure, was awarded the man of the match award.
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