Hurricane Ahmad runs red hot in the Alice Springs heat to rip through the Sixers

A dazzling spell of leg spin from pocket rocket Qais Ahmad almost single-handedly delivered victory for the Hurricanes in stifling heat.

AFGHAN sensation Qais Ahmad has delivered one of the most devastating spells seen in the BBL to rocket Hobart to an incredible tournament opening victory in Alice Springs.

Defending a subpar 129 – thanks largely to home state hero D’Arcy Short’s 51 from 40 balls – the Hurricanes sliced their way through the Sydney Sixers in the stifling heat at Traeger Park to register a 25-run win.

D’Arcy Short’s 51 proved invaluable for the Hurricanes in the low-scoring match. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty

Ahmad, who was a late-season replacement in BBL|08 when Johan Botha suddenly retired midway though the campaign, showed why he is considered one of the most exciting prospects from his country with a dazzling spell of leg spin that netted 4-12.

Having already produced a spectacular direct hit from mid-on in the opening over to run out Daniel Hughes, the 19-year-old took three wickets in four balls to completely turn the contest on its head.

With just his second ball of the match, Ahmad had Moises Henriques caught at long off, but it was his second over where he flashed his wizardry – and his famous flip.

Qais Ahmad flips out after taking the wicket of Tom Curran. Picture: AAP/David Mariuz

Ahmad bowled Tom Curran with a leg break that pitched on middle stump and hit off, sending the teenager racing towards cover before unleashing his forward somersault.

Next ball Sean Abbott was stumped when another leg break ripped past his edge and although Ben Dwarshuis survived the hat-trick delivery, the left hander was bowled next ball with another savage turner.

Ben McDermott stumps Sean Abbott. Picture: AAP/David Mariuz

It capped an astonishing Sixers collapse of 7-13 in 21 balls after Simon Milenko (2-29) had removed the dangerous Josh Philippe (24 from 22 balls) and Hayden Kerr the previous over.

Sydney completely unraveled having reached 1-47 from its powerplay, with speedster Riley Meredith (1-10) starting the slide when he shattered James Vince’s stumps for 18.

“[I am] real happy, this was a good opportunity for me, I am so happy to play for the Hobart Hurricanes, coach, captain, everyone is supporting me,” said Ahmad, who revealed he has been training specifically for Australian pitches.

“Not too much pressure [to perform] because last year I played well and BBL is my favourite league and I have been practising for BBL wickets [which are] skiddy wickets.”

Ahmad also said it was former captain George Bailey who encouraged him to produce his flip if he took a wicket.

Earlier, Northern Territory product Short moved into the top 10 leading Big Bash run scorers of all time with a half century which ultimately proved worth its weight in gold.

Short cracked five boundaries and a six in his 51, with the rest of the two teams managing just three boundaries between them.