KATHMANDU, Feb 15: Nepal national cricket team spinner Sandeep Lamichhane’s Melbourne Stars has advanced into the final of the ongoing Big Bash League with a six-wicket win over Hobart Hurricanes at Hobart, Australia, on Thursday.
At the Bellerive Oval, Melbourne won the toss, elected to field first, and was presented a target of 154 runs by Hobart for the loss of seven wickets in the allotted 20 overs. In reply, Melbourne chased the target by hitting 157 runs for the loss of four wickets in 18.5 overs.
Lamichhane, however, did not pick up a single wicket, but conceded 31 runs in his four-over spell.
Lamichhane wicketless as Melbourne faces 10-wicket loss
Earlier, Ben McDermott hit the highest 53 runs off 42 balls with two fours in the game, while he was supported by George Bailey, who scored 37 runs off 32 balls including two sixes.
Also, D'Arcy Short contributed 35 runs off 21 balls with two sixes and four fours for Hobart, while all the other batsmen of the team failed to reach the double figures.
Daniel Worrall was the standout bowler of the game as he pocketed four wickets giving away 23 runs in four overs. Adam Zampa and Dwayne Bravo claimed a wicket each for the winning team.
In reply, five Melbourne players contributed for the team in the win with double figure runs. Captain Glenn Maxwell hit the highest not out 43 runs off 33 balls with four fours, while Peter Handscomb scored 35 runs off 26 deliveries which included a six and five boundaries.
Seb Gotch was the other batsmen to be unbeaten as he contributed with 33 runs off 22 balls including a six and four fours, while Marcus Stoinis and Nic Maddinson hit 18 runs each.
Despite Qais Mahmad picking up three wickets giving away 33 runs in four overs, his team was not able to win as Jofra Archer was the only other play to take a wicket for the team.
Worrall was named the man of the match.
