A solid knock from Sam Konstas and Matt Gilkes before Shadab Ahmad’s four-wicket haul helped the Sydney Thunder to secure their first win of the BBL 2025-26 season.

David Warner-led Sydney Thunder secured a 34-run victory against Brisbane Heat and made a significant movement in the BBL 2025-26 points table.

After being invited to bat first, Sydney Thunder’s Sam Konstas and Matt Gilkes made a solid start, forging a 127-run partnership for the first wicket.

Jack Wildermuth brought the first breakthrough dismissing Sam Konstas for 63 runs off 45 deliveries.

Meanwhile, Sam Billing who joined Gilkes scored 25 runs off 11 deliveries. With Matthew Gilkes scored 76 runs off 48 deliveries before being dismissed by Shaheen Afridi on lbw.

With David Warner’s cheap dismissal, Daniel Sams’ added up 10 runs as Sydney Thunder scored 193 runs in their 20 over innings.

Jack Wildermuth picked two wickets while, Shaheen Afridi and Matthew Kuhnemann bagged 1 wicket each.

In chasing 194 runs, Colin Munro and Wildermuth opened the innings for Reece Topley opened the bowling attack. The openers got dismissed in the 5th over leaving them to lose two wickets for 38 runs.

Despite Matt Renshaw added 43 runs, he was dismiss be Shadab Khan who ripped up the entire top order.

Despite Hugh Welbgen (30) and Max Bryant (25) made some contribution, Brisbane Heat couldn’t able to chase the target as they scored only 159 runs in their 20 over innings.

Shadab Khan bagged four wickets while Daniel Sams picked two wickets during their spell.

Matt Gilkes was named player of the match. Speaking on the post match presentation, “I thought the wicket was quite low and slow. It was a little bit tough at times but I thought me and Sammy ran well between the wickets – I think that was probably the difference in the end. Helped take a lot of pressure off us, made us feel we didn’t have to do too much.”

Sydney Thunder will play their next match against Melbourne Stars on December 28 at Manuka Oval, Canberra.