A stunning six-wicket haul from Rashid Khan has helped lift the Adelaide Strikers from the bottom of the BBL ladder with victory over the Brisbane Heat.
In what was his last game of the season for the Strikers before departing for international duty, Khan took 6-17 figures to help bowl the Heat all out for 90, as they fell well short of the 167-run target.
The Afghani leg spinner's figures were the third-best in the history of the Big Bash League and see him now lead this season's wicket-taking tally.
When Khan entered the attack at the start of the ninth over, the Heat were on 2-62 but within three deliveries from the 23-year-old found themselves in serious trouble on 5-62.
HOW GOOD IS THAT! Khan is on fire 🔥🔥🔥
— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) January 12, 2022
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Lachy Pfeffer was the first to go, run out following a mix-up with Englishman Ben Duckett after Khan's first ball, before he then dismissed Sam Heazlett and Jake Lehmann for ducks to register a game-turning hat-trick.
Khan then claimed another three wickets in his fourth and final over of the match to wrap up the 71-run win, the third of the season for the Strikers, which, with the bonus point, sees them leapfrog into fifth spot on the BBL standings.
SPIN IS KING 👑
— CricWick (@CricWick) January 12, 2022
Rashid Khan signs off from his #BBL11 stint by topping the wicket-taking charts in the tournament so far 🥇#CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/H4pAm42aeO
The victory was made all the more impressive given the Strikers lost star batter Matt Renshaw before the match due to contracting COVID-19.
In his absence, Jake Weatherald led with the bat, top-scoring with 35 off 31 balls for the visiting side, before Jono Wells (24 off 23), Tom Kelly (24 off 16) and Khan (16 off four) ensured the Strikers finished their innings on 4-161.
The loss means the Heat (3-8) continue their drift down the BBL ladder with just four matches left until the finals series.
Their next match is against the Melbourne Stars in Victoria on Sunday, while the Strikers host the ladder-leading Scorchers on Friday.