Melbourne Stars are through to the BBL semi-finals after defeating Sydney Sixers by 94 runs at the MCG.
Having lost their last two regular- season matches, it was a "must win" match for the Melbourne team to reach the finals.
At the rate of 3.0, Sandeep Lamichhane had the best economy rate among his fellow Stars bowlers giving 11 runs in 3.4 overs. The teenage bowling sensation also helped run out Sydney’s Nathan Lyon.
How it unfolded
After winning the bat flip, Sydney Sixers elected to bowl first. In return Stars made 168 runs losing six wickets in 20 overs, with their captain Glenn Maxwell scoring 82 runs.
When the Sixers returned to the field after the break, Daniel Hughes became their highest scorer with 12 runs in 9 balls.
Three wickets from Sandeep Lamichhane, two each from Adam Zampa and Daniel Worrall and one each from Glenn Maxwell and Jackson Bird meant Sydney Sixers were all out by 13.4 overs making 74 runs in total.
Sandeep Lamichhane’s bowling record
When 18-year-old Sandeep Lamichhane made his Big Bash League debut in Canberra’s Manuka Oval on 21 December 2018, he made history by taking two wickets against Sydney Thunder in his first over.
By the time he finished his third game for Melbourne Stars, he had taken seven wickets, becoming the highest wicket-taker in the early stages of the competition.
But his record-breaking- haul was put on hold as he flew out to fulfil his earlier commitment to play for the Bangladeshi Premier League.
He then represented Nepal at an international One-Dayer and T20 competition against the United Arab Emirates in Dubai.
Lamichhane returned to Australia last week to continue his BBL journey with Melbourne Stars.
His first game after his return was against Brisbane Heat at the Gabba. Heat won that game by ten wickets.
Melbourne Stars will now face Hobart Hurricanes in the semi- final on Thursday February 14.
