BBL 2025-26: Sixers advance to Qualifier against Scorchers with victory over Heat

Brisbane Heat hosted the Sydney Sixers for the last league match of the Big Bash League 2025-26 at the Gabba in Brisbane on Sunday, January 18. The visitors won the toss and elected to field first in a must-win encounter for both the sides.

The home team had a poor start as they lost a wicket in each of the first three overs. Jack Wildermuth (1 off 2) was sent packing by Mitchell Starc in the first over, followed by captain Usman Khawaja (11 off 7) who was caught at short third-man off Sean Abbott. Starc came back to dismiss Matt Renshaw (0 off 4) in his next over off a beautiful delivery which shaped away to the keeper.

The Heat were struggling at 18/3 in the third over as Nathan McSweeney and Marnus Labuschagne had their task cut out. The duo played cautiously to avoid any more immediate dismissals. The right-handers could not accelerate as the Sixers bowlers combined to keep it tight. But, in his quest to up the run rate, Labuschagne was caught in the deep midwicket region off Joel Davis for 18(18).

Max Bryant joined McSweeney and the latter finally found his touch. The 36-run partnership lasted four overs before Bryant (14 off 13) was trapped in front by Sam Curran. Wicketkeeper-batter Jimmy Peirson (1 off 2) failed to fire as the Heat were now in big trouble at 96/6 in the 15th over.

But, Michael Neser, the next man to come, provided a major boost to the run rate and the innings. The bowling all-rounder scored a quickfire 35 runs off 14 balls before being caught by Lachlan Shaw. McSweeney, meanwhile, was holding on at the other end and passed his fourth BBL half century. The 26-year-old (69* off 54), with a little bit of help from the lower order, took his team to 171/9 at the end of the 20 overs. For the Sixers, Starc was the best bowler with figures of 4/35.

The pair of Steve Smith and Babar Azam, which built a massive 141-run opening-wicket partnership in the previous match, walked out to the middle again. But, this time it did not last long as Babar was out caught in the second over for 1(7). Wicketkeeper-batter Josh Philippe also could not contribute much as the right-hander was out for 8(5) after stroking two fours.

Meanwhile, Steve Smith continued in his rich vein of form looking for scoring opportunities all the time. The 36-year-old combined for a 43-run partnership with captain Moises Henriques before the latter was caught out for 24(20). The Sixers were placed at 74/3 in the ninth over as the match hung in the balance.

New man Curran joined the veteran and the duo formed another partnership. Both the batters were firing, Curran more so, as the Sixers started get into a comfortable territory. The Australian legend completed his ninth BBL fifty during the partnership, but could not last long afterwards as the quirky right-hander was bowled by Zaman Khan for 54(40).

Shaw and Curran combined to potentially take their team home. The equation was not a difficult one as 38 runs were needed off 28 balls now. The duo batted sensibly as they kept the scoreboard ticking and hit boundaries towards the end. With just one needed, Shaw top-edged a Xavier Bartlett delivery to the keeper. The Heat did not lose any wicket subsequently as they won the match by five wickets and eight balls remaining.

For the Heat, most of the bowlers struggled to contain runs and take wickets at the right times. Zaman Khan was the best bowler with figures of 1/21 off his three overs. Curran, for his all-round performance, was adjudged as the Player of the Match.

With this win, the Sixers moved from fourth to second and have two chances to qualify for the final while the Heat are knocked out after finishing fifth.

Points Table