Mohammad Hasnain blows Strikers away on Thunder debut

Matt Gilkes sets up win with 93 before Pakistan quick takes three wickets in four balls

Sydney Thunder 7 for 172 (Gilkes 93, Agar 3-26, Siddle 3-36) beat Adelaide Strikers 144 (Nielsen 39, Hasnain 3-20) by 28 runs

He took wickets with his second, third and fifth balls, completing a triple-wicket maiden to steer his side to a 28-run win against Adelaide Strikers.

Hasnain had Matthew Short caught on the boundary, trapped Jake Weatherald lbw with his next, while a sharp Ben Cutting catch earned his third scalp with Jonathon Wells out for a duck, to leave the Strikers 3 for 25 after just three overs of their chase.

Gilkes, dropped second ball by Rashid Khan, batted all bar one ball of Thunder’s innings in making 93 from 57 balls, a knock that included nine fours and three sixes.

The in-form Jason Sangha, fresh from an unbeaten 91 on New Year’s Eve, went cheaply soon after as Rashid began working his magic with the ball.

At 2 for 73 after 10 overs, Thunder were looking to get on their way but Sam Billings chipped one to long-on for just 11. But Gilkes took 17 off an Fawad over soon after and he brought his half-century up with a six as Ollie Davies helped out with 14 before Peter Siddle trapped him lbw.

Gilkes continued to thrive, taking three consecutive fours off Rashid and had a century in his sights after clearing the boundary off Agar before but holing out to deep midwicket. The win moved Thunder to third on the BBL table, while Strikers are seventh after just one win.

Thunder captain Chris Green said the side’s young players had stepped up in the absence of their more experienced teammates who have been sidelined after contracting Covid-19.

“They’ve actually gained a lot of experience since last year and the year before … Matt Gilkes, Jason Sangha, Ollie Davies in particular,” Green told Seven. “Those guys have really come to the party when they’ve got their opportunity so really proud of their efforts.”