Mohammad Nabi struck two boundaries and two sixes during his knock of 52
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Mohammad Nabi smashed a brilliant 52 and took one wicket as the Melbourne Renegades cruised to a six-wicket win over the Melbourne Stars, who continue to remain winless, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Electing to bowl first, the Renegades got their first breakthrough in the third over of the match as Stars opener Luke Wright was caught by Tom Cooper at mid-on off the bowling of Dwayne Bravo for 12.
Ben Dunk and Kevin Pietersen stabilised made up for the loss of Wright with a 71-run partnership before Pietersen was dismissed by Nabi for a 30-ball 40.
Dunk went on to make 47 off 30 deliveries, which included five boundaries and a six, before he was caught behind off the bowling of Jack Wildermuth.
Despite losing Pietersen and Dunk in quick time, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis provided the Stars with a late spark as they put together a 51-run stand to help their side finish on 157/4.
Hectic. #BBL07 pic.twitter.com/cOjN0u4aNS
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 6, 2018
Maxwell, who was dismissed on the final ball of the innings, made 33 off 23 balls, which included three boundaries, while Stoinis remained undefeated on 24 off 24 deliveries, which included a solitary boundary.
Nabi, Bravo, Wildermuth and Kane Richardson picked up one wicket apiece.
Chasing 158 to win, Renegades captain Aaron Finch was in red-hot form, but his opening partner Marcus Harris failed to really get going and was dismissed by debutant Jackson Coleman for eight runs.
Far out. Aaron Finch is on fire at the 'G. LIVE: https://t.co/kIqSPmOjcf pic.twitter.com/z7ZEOpMPjL
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 6, 2018
Finch went on to score 43 off 22 balls, which included seven boundaries and a six, before he was clean bowled by Adam Zampa.
Nabi dominated from that point as he took the attack to the Stars and even brought up his fifty during the 72-run partnership he forged with Cameron White.
Nabi's six earlier almost brought rain! #BBL07 pic.twitter.com/6PXarW5RX2
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 6, 2018
Despite Nabi falling shortly after for a 30-ball 52, which included two boundaries and two sixes, White guided the Renegades to victory with his unbeaten knock of 35.
Stars captain John Hastings was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, while Zampa and Coleman claimed one wicket each.
Nabi was named Man of the Match.