BBL: Haris Rauf's bowling brilliance goes in vain as Scorchers down Stars

PERTH: Pakistan international Haris Rauf returned economical bowling figures of 3/23 for Melbourne Stars, but Finn Allen's blistering half-century led Perth Scorchers to a commanding six-wicket victory in the high-stakes 39th match of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26 here at the Perth Stadium on Saturday.

Set to chase a modest 131-run target, the Scorchers were rocked by Rauf's fiery opening spell, during which they lost three wickets inside the first five overs with just 26 runs on the board.

Rauf started by dismissing Mitchell Marsh (12) on the first delivery of his spell before removing Cooper Connolly (two) a ball later.

He struck again on the first delivery of his second over, getting rid of wicketkeeper batter Josh Inglis, who could muster one.

However, after his sensational opening spell, Allen joined forces with Aaron Hardie and anchored the run chase with a 94-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

The match-defining stand eventually culminated on the first delivery of the 16th over when Peter Siddle got rid of Allen, who walked back after top-scoring for the Scorchers with a 39-ball 69, studded with seven sixes and two fours.

Hardie, on the other hand, batted until the end and steered the Scorchers over the line in the next over with an unbeaten 41 off 37 deliveries, featuring five boundaries.

Rauf remained the standout bowler for the Stars, while Siddle chipped in with one scalp.

Put into bat first, the Stars were bowled out for a meagre 130 in 18.2 overs despite an anchoring half-century by captain Marcus Stoinis.

Stoinis waged a lone battle for the Stars with a gutsy 55 off 39 deliveries with the help of five fours and two sixes. Besides him, only Campbell Kellaway (19) and Hilton Cartwright (13) could amass double figures against the Scorchers' bowling attack.

Jhye Richardson was the standout bowler for the Scorchers, taking four wickets for 16 runs in his 3.2 overs, followed by David Payne and Connolly with two each, while Mahli Beardman and Hardie chipped in with one scalp apiece.

The six-wicket victory ensured Perth Scorchers a top-spot finish as they accumulated 14 points from their 10 league-stage matches, while Melbourne Stars remained third in the BBL standings with 12 points after as many games.