After opting to field, Hobart struck early, removing captain Usman Khawaja and Jack Wildermuth inside the powerplay. Heat rebuilt through Nathan McSweeney (49 off 32) and Matt Renshaw (37 off 25), whose fluent partnership steadied the innings and briefly lifted the run rate past eight an over.
Just as Brisbane looked set for a strong finish, Rishad Hossain turned the game on its head. Introduced in the middle overs, the leg-spinner broke the momentum by dismissing Renshaw and later accounting for Marnus Labuschagne, finishing with 2 for 27 from 4 overs at an economy of 6.75.
His control through the middle overs ensured the Heat never fully capitalised at the death.
Rishad was well supported by Nathan Ellis (2/30) and Riley Meredith (3/40), while the Hurricanes’ bowlers triggered a late collapse that saw Brisbane lose five wickets in the last seven overs.
Despite cameos from Max Bryant (20) and Jimmy Peirson (8), the Heat managed only 33 runs in the final five overs.
In reply, the Hurricanes’ chase was anchored by a commanding partnership between Ben McDermott (59 off 36) and Beau Webster (51 off 43), which put the hosts firmly on course. At 124 for 3 in the 15th over, Hobart looked favourites, needing just 37 from the final five overs with wickets in hand.
The match turned with a superb spell from Matthew Kuhnemann, who removed both McDermott and Tim Ward to finish with 2 for 24, earning him the Player of the Match award.
Xavier Bartlett then produced a decisive burst at the death, claiming 3 for 44, including two wickets in four balls in the 19th over to swing the contest back Brisbane’s way.
Despite late resistance from Nikhil Chaudhary (16) and Matthew Wade (11), Hobart fell agonisingly short, closing on 157/8. Zaman Khan and Marnus Labuschagne also chipped in with crucial wickets as the Heat successfully defended their total.
