Haris Rauf shines as Stars beat Hasan Ali’s Strikers in BBL 15 clash

ADELAIDE: Fast bowler Haris Rauf’s three-wicket haul, followed by a composed half-century from wicketkeeper-batter Sam Harper, powered Melbourne Stars to a convincing win over Adelaide Strikers in the 10th match of the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) 15 at the Adelaide Oval on Tuesday.

Batting first, the Strikers posted a competitive total of 155-8, largely due to a solid knock from captain and opening batter Matthew Short.  Short anchored the innings with a hard-fought 56 off 42 balls, striking four boundaries. Middle-order batters Liam Scott and Alex Ross provided useful support after an early wobble. Scott scored 25 off 19 deliveries, hitting two fours and a six, while Ross added 22 off 21 balls, including one boundary.

Pakistan pacer Hasan Ali, batting down the order, remained unbeaten on six from six balls, featuring one four. For the Stars, Tom Curran and Haris Rauf led the bowling attack. Curran claimed three wickets for 35 runs in his four overs, while Rauf was equally impressive, finishing with figures of 3/28. In reply, Melbourne Stars chased down the target in 18.1 overs, losing four wickets. Sam Harper played the decisive role with a match-winning 55 off 36 balls, laced with five fours and two sixes.

Opener Joe Clarke contributed 23 off 19 balls, while Campbell Kellaway scored 28 off 22 deliveries. Skipper Marcus Stoinis played an aggressive cameo, smashing 32 off 22 balls, including three fours and a six. Hasan Ali fought back with the ball for the Strikers, dismissing Kellaway and Glenn Maxwell, but his efforts were not enough to prevent his side from slipping to defeat. With this victory, the Stoinis-led Stars remain unbeaten in BBL 15, sitting at the top of the points table with two wins from two matches and a healthy net run rate of 1.541. Web Desk