Afghanistan veteran Mohammed Nabi has powered the Melbourne Renegades to a thrilling six wicket win over the Adelaide Strikers, snapping a seven game losing streak and keeping the club's faint BBL finals hopes alive.
The Renegades, now 2-7, remain rooted to the bottom of the ladder but do have a mathematical chance of qualifying for the playoffs after winning with one ball to spare at the Adelaide Oval on Friday night.
Nabi, the 36-year-old all-rounder who is nicknamed The President', was immense.
Batting at No 4, Nabi clubbed 71 not out from 41 balls and found a willing ally in young Jake Fraser-McGurk (29 not out from 23) to guide the Renegades past Adelaide's target of 7-177.
"The last 4-5 games I haven't performed well for my team," Nabi told Fox Cricket.
"I did something for my team and I'm really happy."
Nabi was also able to deny compatriot Rashid Khan, who was again outstanding in taking 2-24 from 4 overs.
"He's the No 1 bowler in the world and I played carefully most of the time," Nabi said.
"He gets me out most times.
"A great bowler."
Fraser-McGurk quipped afterwards that he and Nabi had a few issues working out the required run rate.
Half Nabi's age and growing up on the other side of the world, the unlikely duo summed up what is so unique and valuable about modern T20 franchise cricket.
"He's a bit hard to understand some times and maths isn't my strong point and neither is it his," the 18-year-old joked, having asked "is that it?" after hitting the winning runs.
Adelaide remain fourth on a congested ladder with a 4-4 record.
Phil Salt was the leading Strikers run-scorer with 59 from 42.
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