Rishad leaks runs in rain-hit knockout as Hurricanes survive thriller

Despite an expensive outing from Bangladesh leg-spinner Rishad Hossain on Wednesday, Hobart Hurricanes clung to their Big Bash League (BBL) title defence with a nerve-shredding three-run victory over Melbourne Stars in a rain-marred knockout tie.

There were fears that the match would be abandoned without a ball being bowled after rain lashed Hobart through the afternoon and evening. But the weather cleared before the cut-off time, and a 10-over per side match eventuated. 

Asked to bat first, Hobart got to face a revised 10 overs as rain delayed the game. Both openers, Mitchell Owen (seven) and Tim Ward (10), departed early before Beau Webster arrived to the middle and added impetus to the Hurricanes' innings. After Webster's 47 off 26 balls lifted the Hurricanes to 114 for 5, the Melbourne Stars' target was further reduced to 85 runs off seven overs.

Stars were 9 for 1 after two overs when rain threatened to spoil the party again. With five overs needed to ensure a result, the Stars were anxious, but play did restart even though rain continued to fall. Rishad was introduced in the fourth over, and Joe Clarke (31) welcomed him with a six off his first ball. The leggie eventually conceded 13 runs in his first over.

Then the 23-year-old was handed the ball in the crucial sixth over, and the Aussie giant Glenn Maxwell (9*) slogged him for a six on his third ball. But Rishad came back well and went on to give away 11 runs in his second over. After Sam Harper (10) got injured, they appeared set to fall well short until a very late assault by Hilton Cartwright (15) gave them hope. But Cartwright could not hit the required boundary off the final ball, as the Stars' season ended in heartbreak.

The Hurricanes will face the Sydney Sixers at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday. The winner will lock horns with the Perth Scorchers in the final at Optus Stadium on Sunday.