Big Bash League 2025-26: Hobart Hurricanes Beat Sydney Thunders By 4 Wickets Despite Shadab Khan's All-Round Show

Hobart Hurricanes kicked off their campaign in style by beating Sydney Thunder by 4 wickets in Match 3 of Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26 at the Bellerive Oval, Hobart, on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.

SYT were sent in to bat after losing the toss and managed to put on a decent total of 180/6 on board on the back of smashing 61 by Cameron Bancroft in 44 balls. Pakistani all-rounder Shadab Khan, who was coming off an injury lay-off, also chipped in with a crucial 34 to take the score to 180.

Hobart Hurricanes got off to a solid start by their top batter with the top three- Mitchell Owen (32), Nikhil Chaudhary (41) and Ben McDermott (38) laying a solid base for the middle-order to chase down the 182-run target. The Hurricanes' innings faltered slightly in the middle overs but eventually recovered and won the match in the penultimate over, with four wickets in hand.

Shadab Khan, who shined with the bat also picked up 2 wickets to bring the Thunders back in the match but it didn't prove to be enough.

Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Thunder, BBL 2025-26: Toss Update

Hobar Hurricanes captain Nathan Ellis has won the toss and opted to bowl first in today's Match 3 of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26.

Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Thunder, BBL 2025-26: Playing XI

Hobart Hurricanes: Mitchell Owen, Nikhil Chaudhary, Rehan Ahmed, Ben McDermott, Tim David, Matthew Wade (wk), Chris Jordan, Nathan Ellis (c), Rishad Hossain, Riley Meredith, Billy Stanlake.

Sydney Thunder: Sam Konstas, Matthew Gilkes, Cameron Bancroft, Oliver Davies, Sam Billings (wk), Shadab Khan, Daniel Sams, Chris Green (c), Nathan McAndrew, Tanveer Sangha, Reece Topley.

Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Thunder, BBL 2025-26: Full Squad

Hobart Hurricanes: Matthew Wade (wk), Rehan Ahmed, Nikhil Chaudhary, Tim David, Nathan Ellis (c), Rishad Hossain, Chris Jordan, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Mitchell Owen, Will Prestwidge, Billy Stanlake, Tim Ward, Macalister Wright.

Sydney Thunder: Oliver Davies, Sam Konstas, Cameron Bancroft, Sam Billings (wk), Shadab Khan, Daniel Sams, Chris Green (c), Nathan McAndrew, Tanveer Sangha, Reece Topley, Ryan Hadley, Blake Nikitaras, Charlie Anderson, Matthew Gilkes.

Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Thunder, BBL 2025-26: Live Streaming Details

The Big Bash League 2025-26 matches, including Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Thunder, will be live-streamed in India on the JioHotstar app and website. Television broadcasts will take place on the Star Sports Network channels in the country.