Sakib Al Hasan’s journey in Australia’s Big Bash season four ended with a defeat as his Melbourne Renegades lost to Adelaide Strikers by 22 runs in their final league match at Docklands Stadium in Melbourne on Sunday. The Renegades’ last hope to reach the semi-finals ended in smoke by this very defeat in this ‘do or die’ match. Sakib gave a useful hand to his side by bowling extremely tight by conceding 28 runs in his 4 overs and played a handful knock of 22 off 16 balls.
But they were not enough for the Renegades as they could not scalp through the Strikers, the current leaders in the points table.
Batting first, Sakib’s former Big Bash side — Strikers — put a fighting total of 165 runs thanks to Travis Head’s demolishing 71 off 34 balls. Johan Botha also contributed with an effective cameo of 31 runs from 19 balls.
Sakib maintained a tight length but went wicketless for the first time in the season.
Renegades fell behind while chasing the target as their batsmen failed to put up any important partnerships.
Ben Stokes as well as Sakib kept the hopes alive for a while before being perished as Renegades ended their 20 overs for 144-7.
Sakib earlier took seven wickets in three matches for Renegades, including a match-winning 4-13 against Brisbane Heat in their previous match.
He finished as the joint highest wicket taker for the team alongside Australian pacer James Pattinson.
The all-rounder, however, could not justify his billing as top batsman scoring just 39 runs in four matches.
Sakib is now expected to join the Bangladesh national team once they reach Brisbane on January 26.
-With New Age input
