Hobart Hurricanes edged into the Big Bash Challenger match after a nail-biting, rain-affected win over the Melbourne Stars, with Bangladesh leg-spinner Rishad Hossain unable to take a wicket.
Chasing 26 off the final over, Marcus Stoinis smashed the first delivery for six but was dismissed attempting another big shot immediately after. Hilton Cartwright then entertained with two fours and a six off three consecutive balls, but with five runs required from the last delivery, he could manage only one. Hobart secured a dramatic three-run victory under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method.
The Hurricanes now face the Sydney Sixers in Friday’s Challenger match for a spot in the final.
Rain disrupted play from the start, reducing the contest to ten overs. Hobart, batting first, lost five wickets to post 114 runs. When the Stars began their chase, rain returned after two overs, revising the target to 85 runs from seven overs. Melbourne fell short at 81, giving Rishad Hossain and Matthew Wade reason to celebrate.
Rishad, however, struggled with the ball, conceding 24 runs in two overs without claiming a wicket. In 12 deliveries, the Bangladeshi leg-spinner bowled only a single dot ball and gave away two sixes. In the fourth over, Joe Clarke sent the first ball over the ropes for six. Rishad then conceded seven runs across the next five balls, finishing the over with 13 runs.
Returning in the sixth over, Rishad gave one run on his first delivery before Sam Harper retired hurt. Glenn Maxwell cleared him for six off the first ball, followed by singles in the next two deliveries, ending the over at 11 runs.
The final over produced the match’s climax, with Mitchell Wheal clinching the victory for Hobart in style.
