Zaman Khan helps keep Brisbane Heat’s playoff hopes alive

The butterfly effect describes how a butterfly flapping its wings in one place can cause a tornado to wreak havoc elsewhere. While the theory is usually applied to events across space, for the Brisbane Heat, it played out across time.

Zaman in place of Shaheen

One of their more prominent signings this season was Pakistan’s premium pacer, Shaheen Shah Afridi. The Heat would not have expected to part ways with him midway through the tournament due to injury, which was largely a case of Shaheen being extra cautious with the World Cup around the corner. By the same logic, signing another Pakistani fast bowler, Zaman Khan, as his replacement was not on their original plans either. Nor was what eventually transpired at the Bellerive Oval against table-topping Hobart Hurricanes in the final over.

Before getting into the details, Zaman Khan is a veteran when it comes to defending scraps of runs at the death. He has defended 15 runs in the final over. He has also defended 12 in a final over. He has also defended 13 in the final over of an actual final. It was only fitting, then, that Brisbane Heat handed him the ball to defend six runs in the last over.

Two runs, three dots, and a wicket

He bowled three dot balls, conceded two singles, and dismissed a set batter on the second-last ball of the game. That sealed the match in the Heat’s favour and breathed life back into their dying playoff hopes.

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Big Bash League 2025-26 Dec 14 to Jan 25

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January 11, 2026 1:15 pm Result

Perth Scorchers won by 32 runs

Adelaide Strikers

200/8 (20)

Perth Scorchers

232/4 (20)

January 11, 2026 8:05 am Result

No result due to rain

Hobart Hurricanes

 

Sydney Sixers

32/0 (5)

Brisbane now sit in fourth spot on the points table, with one game left against the Sydney Sixers. A win there could lock them into the knockout stage, which, if it happens, would be a rather neat demonstration of how the butterfly effect works.

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