The Brisbane Heat have injected Chris Lynn as the BBL's side's X-factor in his injury return as they chase the Sydney Thunder's 8-174 for victory at the Gabba.
Lynn, a pivotal big-hitter, missed four games for the Heat with a hamstring injury but was substituted in for spinner Matt Kuhnemann, who bowled one over for 11, after 10 overs on Monday night.
Riding a five-game winning streak, the Thunder lost Usman Khawaja in the first over but looked on track for a huge total before Mujeeb Ur Rahman (2-26) applied the breaks.
The Afghan spinner took two tough outfield catches and in between removed set pair Alex Hales (46 from 26) and Callum Ferguson (35 off 34).
He even added a run-out to his tally, fielding off his own bowling with a quick return to Jimmy Peirson that caught Sam Billings short of his crease.
Thunder allrounder Ben Cutting (24 off 15) was then booed in his return to the Gabba after nine seasons with the Heat.
He resumed his partnership with Daniel Sams (37 off 18) to steal back momentum, having combined to power the Thunder to an unlikely victory when the sides met last month.
They took 20 off the 18th over despite Sams losing his wicket, the allrounder now boasting 102 runs off just 43 balls with nine sixes in two innings against the Heat this season.
The Thunder can jump back to the top of the ladder with a sixth straight win, while the Heat (2-4) would move within three points of fourth by taking all four points on offer.
