The Big Bash League kicked off with a wild finish between the Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Stars. Thunder needed eight runs in the final over. First ball, the Stars pulled off a one-handed stunner in the deep to remove the set batsman. Second ball, another wicket as Fazal was clean bowled. Just like that, two wickets in two balls and the Stars were eyeing a dramatic win. The hat-trick ball didn’t deliver a third wicket but only gave up a single, putting Gurinder Sandhu back on strike.
Sandhu had already been scoring well and delivered again, launching the next ball for six to tie the game. One more run would win it. The Stars pulled the field in. The keeper even removed one of his gloves to prepare for a quick throw. Sandhu mistimed his shot, but the keeper fumbled and let the ball through. It went to the boundary, Thunder won, and the Stars were left stunned. They came within a ball or two of victory but couldn’t close it out.