The Brisbane Heat posted a thrilling three-run Twenty/20 victory over the Hobart Hurricanes to break their duck in the Big Bash League.
The victory came despite Travis Birt smashing a remarkable 74 runs off 36 balls for the previously unbeaten Hurricanes at the Gabba.
Chasing a tournament record 202 for an unlikely win, the Hurricanes looked gone for all money at 101 for 2 after 13 overs before Owais Shah (69 off 44 balls) and Birt opened the shoulder blades.
Heat medium-pacer Alister McDermott had the unenviable task of bowling the last over when the Hurricanes needed 16 runs to win.
Shah hit 12 runs, including a six, from the first four balls in a nail-biter before McDermott pulled off a crucial play, running out Birt on the penultimate ball of the match.
When Shah holed out to a Dan Christian catch in the deep, the Heat had pulled off their first win of the competition while consigning Hobart, looking to secure a home final, to their first loss as they finished at 198 for 4.
The Heat are still slim odds to make the finals but the win will be a massive confidence boost for them.
