Sydney Thunder's last-ball thriller is sealed by Gurinder Sandhu's cameo

After scoring 122, Melbourne Stars made a comeback with the help of Nathan Coulter-three Nile’s wickets, but they came up just short.

Short Summary

Sydney Thunder 9 for 123
Ross 28, Sandhu 20*, Coulter-Nile 3-19

Melbourne Stars 8 for 122
Larkin 25, Farooqi 2-20, Sams 2-21

Also Read: Adam Zampa & a Young Aussie Named BBL 2022-23 captains

As Sydney Thunder defeated Melbourne Stars in a nail-biting one-wicket thriller to start the BBL season, Gurinder Sandhu maintained his composure.

Due to careless batting, Thunder’s modest 123-run chase unraveled, and they frequently looked to be out of the game when facing an energized Stars attack on the challenging Manuka Oval surface.

However, they managed to come back thanks to Sandhu’s heroics in the dying moments, who smashed a six when Thunder needed seven off the final three balls.

It was a huge relief for Thunder that they managed to pull the difficult triumph off the last delivery through a bye.

The sudden late change of events devastated stars, especially new skipper Adam Zampa, who had just taken his 100th BBL wicket and was on track to celebrate his maiden match in leadership in a grand manner.

Gurinder Sandhu,
Nathan Coulter-Nile,
Sydney Thunder,
Melbourne Stars,
Stars vs Thunder,
Big Bash League,
Sydney Thunder's last-ball thriller is sealed by Gurinder Sandhu's cameo, — **Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars Match in Big Bash 2022-23**

The fast and quick debut of Farooqi

In the 13th over, Stars took the two-over Power Surge, a tournament innovation that has been used this season, in an effort to provide much-needed energy. However, Thunder responded by bringing in left-arm paceman Fazalhaq Farooqi, who proved up to the task by dismissing top scorer Nick Larkin two balls after bowling Hilton Cartwright around the wicket.

The double strike was the highlight of Farooqi’s outstanding BBL debut, which also included many scary full-pitched deliveries and steady bowling speeds of about 140 kph.

Farooqi joined Thunder as a replacement for David Willey, who withdrew from the tournament after putting up impressive efforts for Afghanistan at the most recent T20 World Cup. After Farooqi concluded with 2 for 20 from four overs, it seems like a wise choice.