Canberra: Leg-spinner Shatab Khan led Sydney Thunder to a 34-run thrashing of Brisbane Heat at Manuka Oval on Monday to secure their first win of Big Bash League (PBL) 15.
Batting first, Thunder laid a solid foundation for a match total of 193-4 in their allotted 20 overs as openers Sam Konstas and Matthew Gilks put together a century opening stand.
Konstas scored 63 off 45 balls with 8 fours, while Gilks scored a fluent 76 off 48 balls with 4 fours and 3 sixes.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Sam Billings was the late inspiration with 25 off 11 balls with 2 fours and 2 sixes. However, captain David Warner was dismissed cheaply for 7 runs.
For Brisbane Heat, Shaheen Afridi took 1/35 from his four overs. Bowling Jack Wildermuth took 2 wickets and Matthew Kuhneman took 1 wicket.
In reply, Heat were restricted to 159 for 6 in 20 overs, with none of their batsmen reaching half-centuries thanks to Shadab’s brilliant bowling display.
The Pakistan all-rounder demolished the Heat’s top order with key wickets of Colin Munro (18 off 14 balls), Jack Wildermuth (14) and Matt Renshaw, who top scored for the Heat with 43 off 28 balls, including 4 fours and a six.
Hugh Weibgen struggled with 30 off 26 balls and showed some resistance, while Max Bryant made 25 off 18 balls. The rest of the batting line-up failed to provide significant support.
Shadab Khan had a brilliant performance for the Thunder, finishing with impressive figures of 4/24 from four overs, while Daniel Sams bagged two wickets to ensure a comprehensive win.