Sandeep Lamicchane ended up on the losing side in his Big Bash League (BBL) debut but the Nepalese leg-spinner managed to create an instant impact.
Lamichhane picked up two wickets in his very first over as his Melbourne Stars side fell to a 15-run defeat to Sydney Thunder via the Duckworth/Lewis method (D/L) on Friday.
The Nepal sensation dismissed Thunder skipper Shane Watson with his second delivery before sending back Callum Ferguson with the last ball of his first over.
However, the 18-year-old was taken for some runs in the remainder of his spell as the Thunder posted a challenging total of 181-5. The leggie was hit for three sixes by 19-year-old Jason Sangha who became the youngest half-centurion in BBL history with an unbeaten 36-ball 63.
Sandeep Lamichhane is making his mark on the @BBL! Just Shane Watson for your first wicket, thank you very much. #BBL08 pic.twitter.com/OTgUjQn5hV
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 21, 2018
Lamicchane, who became the first Nepalese cricketer to play in the BBL, finished with expensive figures of 2-36 from his four overs as Sangha put on a batting exhibition.
In reply, the Stars top-order suffered a dramatic collapse and were reduced to 33-5 inside 5 overs in a rain-affected run chase at Canberra.
Nick Larkin’s 13-ball 28 helped the Stars ultimately post 74-6 in eight overs but it fell some way short of the required target of 90.
Lamichhane and the Melbourne Stars will now be in action on Monday when they take on the Hobart Hurricanes at Hobart.
