‘This comeback reminded me of Kolkata in 2021 ITL’ – Fans celebrate as Brisbane Heat advance to BBL 12 final after beating Sydney Sixers

In the challenger game of the ongoing Big Bash League 2022-23, two former champions, Brisbane Heat and Sydney Sixers locked horns. Both teams were looking to book their place in the final of the tournament. Defending champions, Perth Scorchers have already qualified for the final, after beating Sixers in the Qualifier game played on January 28 at the Optus Stadium in Perth.

Meanwhile, in the game, the former champions, Sixers won the toss and elected to bat first. However, this decision proved a disaster for the team as they lost nine wickets and could only manage 116 runs at the end of the innings. None of the batters could cross the 30-run mark. Also, six batters failed to cross the double-figure mark. For the Heat, the likes of Spencer Johnson and Matthew Kuhnemann took three wickets each.

On the other hand, Michael Neser took two while Nathan McSweeney took one wicket.

Michael Neser saves the day for the Brisbane Heat

In reply, the 2012-13 winners lost six wickets for 86 and were looking to make a meal of an easy chase. However, Neser who took two wickets in the first innings scored an unbeaten 48 to take the team over the line. The Teal Brigade won the game by four wickets and 10 balls left.

“What a fantastic effort from Neser. That was a gem. [The four boundary over in the Power Surge by Neser] That was game-changing stuff. I’m so pleased they got it over the line for us. I knew all along that when we restricted them 1o 116, it was going to be tough work because the wicket was so slow. It was getting harder and harder to bat on. I knew we needed to score with the new ball and maximize that period and then we needed one person to step up and Neser did that,” Brisbane Heat skipper Jimmy Pierson said after the game.

This is how Twitter reacted

Marnus Labuschagne, Matthew Renshaw and Mitchell Swepson celebrate the Brisbane Heat victory from their Bengaluru hotel.#BBL12 #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/tw17tiL7NI

— Nic Savage (@nic_savage1) February 2, 2023

https://twitter.com/Akhil3017/status/1621120328041910273?s=20

I had never thought that the #BrisbaneHeat would qualify for the #BBLfinals,even in my wildest dreams. This comeback reminded me of KKR in 2021.Even if they fail in the finals, given the team they have, the fact that they reached the finals in itself is fantastic.#BBL12 @HeatBBL

— Prakash M (@prakstracks12) February 2, 2023

https://twitter.com/d__mac77/status/1621118118616776705?s=20

Such a poor pitch for finals… why not prepare a fresh pitch in knockout games ?? #BBL12

— Rohit Pungalia (@RohitPungalia) February 2, 2023

https://twitter.com/Plumb_infront/status/1621130795187572736?s=20

Can’t wait for the #BBL12 Final

— Irish Cricket Nut (@CricketNut1) February 2, 2023

Isn't it ironic that Michael Neser took the most controversial catch of the season to beat the @SixersBBL at the Gabba and now he produces the decisive innings to knock the Sixers out of the competition!

Three Sudden death final wins – @HeatBBL deserve their Finals spot! #BBL12

— Anthony Morgan (@anthfieg1) February 2, 2023

People: no one really cares much about the BBL.

Me at almost 12:30am, can’t sleep cause I’m still too cranky about losing and frigging Scorchers fans being annoying #BBL12

— Lisa Potts (@leaseM_87) February 2, 2023