Sydney Sixers will chase 156 to win their BBL final rematch against Perth Scorchers after Aaron Hardie's half-century repaired the hosts' innings.
Having won the toss and elected to bat at Optus Stadium, the defending champion Scorchers finished 9-155 in their first outing for the summer.
Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis crunched his first ball faced past mid-on for four and looked in dangerous touch before chopping on to debutant Afghanistan seamer Naveen-ul-Haq Murid on 14.
Fellow opener Adam Lyth had fallen lbw in the first over to recalled seamer Jackson Bird, whose impeccable length restricted the Scorchers from the opening.
The evergreen 36-year-old also dismissed Scorchers skipper Ashton Turner and Nick Hobson in quick succession, finishing his four overs with 3-26 and 13 dot balls.
Josh Inglis's departure after being bowled by legspinner Izharulhaq Naveed (2-22) left the hosts in trouble at 5-49 off seven overs.
But young gun Hardie steadied the ship, rotating the strike before releasing the pressure valve with three sixes during the power surge to bring up his half-century.
Hardie (55 off 32) holed out at extra cover to a Naveed delivery soon after, while tailender Ashton Agar added 24 to the hosts' tally.
Sean Abbott, who went for 28 in the second over of the power surge, finished 1-45 off his four overs.
The Sixers are chasing their first win of the season after Wednesday's 51-run loss to the Adelaide Strikers.
