A surprise hat-trick by Josh Lalor could not steal the thunder from teenage spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman's stunning Big Bash League farewell for Brisbane Heat.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
After Brisbane's six-wicket BBL win over Perth on Friday night, Mujeeb confirmed he would leave Australia with two games still left in the Heat's campaign to prepare for Afghanistan's pre-World Cup series against Ireland in India.
Lalor (3-23) turned heads with just the fourth hat-trick in BBL history to help reduce Perth to 9-128.
But man of the match honours went to 17-year-old Mujeeb, who signed off with an impressive 3-16 including the prized scalp of ex-Test batsman Shaun Marsh for two.
The teenager may have his immediate sights set on Ireland which Afghanistan will "host" for a one-off Test plus three Twenty20 internationals and five one-day internationals at Hyderabad from February 23.
But Mujeeb said he also had his eye on Afghanistan's opening World Cup clash with Australia in England on June 1 after his BBL success.
Mujeeb impressed in Australia along with Afghan teammates Rashid Khan at Adelaide - the world's No.1 ranked T20 bowler - and Mohammad Nabi at Melbourne Renegades this BBL campaign.
Buoyed by his dismissal of Marsh at the Gabba, Mujeeb backed Afghanistan to surprise Australia in their World Cup opener.
"He's a good batsman Shaun Marsh. It's good for me that I got him out (before World Cup)," he said.
"This (BBL) has given me good confidence for the World Cup.
"I am now ready for the World Cup."
Lalor believed Afghanistan would surprise a few teams after admiring teammate Mujeeb in his debut BBL season which earned 12 wickets at 23.41.
"He's been great. He has bowled beautifully for us the entire tournament," he said.
"I think they (Afghanistan) have the talent to not just beat Australia but challenge anyone (at the World Cup).
"Speaking to Mujeeb he was very confident about the depth of their side.
"I look forward to seeing how they go on the big stage. I am sure they will want to impress."
Lalor failed to upstage Mujeeb despite claiming a career-first hat-trick - much to the Heat's surprise.
No one realised Lalor had pulled off the feat until teammate Alex Ross ran in from the outfield to notify the left arm seamer.
Lalor took a wicket on the last ball of his second over before nabbing scalps with the first two deliveries of his third.
"(Captain) Chris Lynn said to me (after two straight wickets in third over) 'we want to get a hat-trick for you, what do you want to do' not realising we already had one," Lalor said.
"You'd think I would know I had a hat-trick after playing cricket for 20 years."
Australian Associated Press
