Big Bash League: Shadab Khan, Alex Ross star as Heat down Thunders

Leg-spinner claims two, right-handed batsman scores nine-ball 25 in team’s victory

Pakistan leg-spinner Shadab Khan produced a brilliant spell, while Alex Ross hit a quick fire 25 to help Brisbane Heat beat Sydney Thunders by six wickets on Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method at the Gabba on Wednesday.

The match was reduced to 17 overs-a-side because of rain earlier in the day, and it was Thunders’ captain Shane Watson who won the toss and opted to bat first.

His decision paid dividends as the visitors managed to post a competitive 149-run target for Brendon McCullum-led Heats in their 17 overs.

Star of the show for Thunders was captain Watson who scored a 56 runs off 34 balls, with the help of six fours and two maximums. He was well supported by middle-order batsman Callum Ferguson, who scored 37 off 26 courtesy four boundaries.

For the home side, Shadab was the pick of the bowlers as he claimed two wickets and gave away just 27 runs in his four overs.

Chasing a revised target of 151, Heat lost McCullum early, but wicketkeeper-batsman Jimmy Peirson’s 43 off 39 kept the home side on course for victory.

With the run-rate climbing, the hosts were in need of a real push, which came from middle-order batsman Alex Ross, who scored an unbeaten 25 off just nine balls with the help of two fours and two maximums to seal the victory for the Heat, with a ball to spare.

Right-handed batsman Joe Burns was the top-scorer for Brisbane with an unbeaten 45 off 35 with the help of a solitary four and a six.

For Thunders, New Zealand left-arm pacer Mitchell McClenaghan accounted for two batsmen, whereas captain Watson and right-arm off-spinner Arjun Nair grabbed one wicket apiece.

For his timely cameo, Ross received the player-of-the-match award.