The long wait ended today as the eighth edition of the very popular Big Bash League finally kicked off at the Gabba, in Brisbane, Australia. Last year, Adelaide Strikers won their first ever title and they decided to begin this season on a winning note as well. They were scheduled to play Brisbane Heat in the opening game of the season and they started their campaign on a positive note.
Led by Chris Lynn, Heat were the obvious favourites coming into this contest and why not? With the likes of Brendon McCullum and Lynn at the top of the order, any bowling attack in the world can be torn apart. Today too, they began on a blazing note, only to fall apart in the middle overs, thanks to some brilliant bowling from the Strikers.
In the mid stage, Heat lost their way completely to losing 7 wickets for just 23 runs, and at the point of time, fans would’ve started making their way out of the stadium. However, young Mujeeb Ur Rahman from Afghanistan wasn’t going to leave the crease before everyone knowing he has arrived.
Batting at #11, it wasn’t too long before Mujeeb scored the highest #11 score by anyone in the history of the Big Bash League. In his maiden trip there, he was already among the records. From 101/9, he managed to take his team up to 146/10, eventually falling after scoring 27(22). He also was involved in what became the biggest 10th wicket partnership in the history of the BBL. What a way to mark your arrival!!
This picture shows the rise of Afghanistan cricket. #BBL08 pic.twitter.com/JJTOXTBjMG
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) December 19, 2018
Brisbane signed him for his bowling, but he certainly proved he’s worth more than the team expected. Before he shone however, it was the star Rashid Khan who impressed with the ball (as usual), and he was the reason the collapse began in the Heat line-up. After going for 10 runs in his first over and wicket-less in his first two overs, he ended with amazing figures of 4-0-19-3.
While this was a decent target, it wasn’t going to be too tough for the defending champions, who got there eventually in the 20th over, with 5 balls and 5 wickets to spare. Alex Carey starred with the bat, scoring 70(46) and giving his team a winning start. A couple of years back, if you told me that two Afghanistan players would’ve starred in a match at the Gabba, I’d laugh you off, but today was a brilliant day for the country. Kudos to these two young boys who would’ve made their entire nation proud today. Man of the Match: Rashid Khan.
For more updates on the ongoing Big Bash League, keep reading ReadScoops.com.
