USMAN Khawaja made 78 to set up Brisbane Heat’s comfortable seven-wicket win and eliminate Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League.
Chasing 181, Khawaja, who retired from Australia duty after their 4-1 win over England in the Ashes, hit seven fours and three sixes in his 48-ball knock at the top of the order.
He shared 57 in 23 balls with Jack Wildermuth (39) for the first wicket and 26 with Nathan McSweeney but the key partnership came with Matt Renshaw, someone who may benefit from Khawaja’s international retirement.
The pair put on 93 in 56 balls to break the back of the chase, with Khawaja dismissed with five required.
Max Bryant came to the crease and hit first ball for six to seal the win with 22 balls to spare.
Thunder, who are are rooted to the bottom of the table with one win in eight games, posted 180-6, with David Warner continuing his recent good form with 82 off 56 balls.
He was run out in bizarre fashion in the 16th over, with Marnus Labuschagne dropping Sam Billings initially, before McSweeney’s throw saw Warner dismissed at the striker’s end despite a full-length dive.
Heat are fifth in the table, but have the same points as second, third and fourth approaching the final week of group games.