Akeal Hosein’s Sydney Sixers handed Sherfane Rutherford’s Sydney Thunder their first loss of this Big Bash League season at the Sydney Showground Stadium on Saturday.

Sixers skipper Moises Henriques put the Thunder in to bat after winning the toss and the Thunder posted 163-5 from their 20 overs.

Cameron Bancroft hit 70* off 52 balls while Oliver Davies made 47 off 34 deliveries to lead the Thunder in scoring.

Rutherford made a nine-ball eight batting at number five.

Hosein, who recently became the number one ranked T20I bowler in the world, was the best bowler on the day for the Sixers with 2-23 from his four overs while Ben Dwarshuis took 2-26 from his four overs in support.

The Sixers then needed all 20 overs to reach 164-5 and secure a nail-biting win in the end.

Jordan Silk led the way with 36* while Josh Phillipe made 35. Jack Edwards and Dwarshuis also made valuable contributions with 28 and 20* off eight balls, respectively.

Man of the match Dwarshuis was especially clutch, coming in to join Silk with the Sixers needing 24 off 11.

They eventually needed seven off two balls before Dwarshuis hit a six and then a single off Chris Green to seal the win.