Nepal’s Sandeep Lamichhane marked an impressive debut in the Australian Big Bash League (BBL) after the leg spinner picked up two wickets for Melbourne Stars in the first match at the Manuka Oval in Canberra on Friday.

Lamichhane, who two years ago had said his ultimate dream was to play in Australia’s premier Twenty20 competition, marked a sensational debut in the tournament after he removed Shane Watson and Callum Ferguson in the first over against Sydney Thunder. Stars, however, went on to lose its tournament opener by 15 wickets under Duckworth/Lewis Method.

Playing under Australian batting allrounder Glenn Maxwell, Lamichhane was handed the ball in the eighth over that fetched Stars two wickets and a slight momentum of the game. Lamichhane enticed Watson with an over-pitched delivery as the former Australian allrounder tried to hit him over the rope only to find Nick Larkin at long on.

Ferguson wicket came in the last ball of the over as No 3 batsman was undone by a turning delivery and handed a return catch to Lamichhane. He ended up conceding just three runs in his first over as BBL commentators’ crew that included Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting went on to laud the 18-year old bowler.

Lamichhane conceded six runs in his second over after he was hit for a boundary by England skipper Joe Root. The Nepali bowler initially contained Jason Sangha and Root in the third over but ended up being hit for six by the former to concede 13 runs. Sangha ultimately went on to top score for Thunder with a 36-ball 63 not out, steering the team to 181-5.

The 2018 U-19 World Cup runner-up Sangha also hit Lamichhane for two sixes in his final over. Lamichhane’s four-over spell cost 36 runs. After a lengthy rain interruption, Stars were provided with a revised target of 90 runs from eight overs but they could only manage 74-6. Daniel Sams, who had made 34 runs and took two Stars’ wickets, was adjudged the man-of-the-match.

Stars will now take on Hobart Hurricanes in its second match on Monday. Melbourne Renegades, Adelaide Strikers, Brisbane Heat and Perth Scorchers are the other four teams in the six-team BBL. After the completion of first round league, Thunder leads the table on net run-rate with two points.