Shadab Khan said he badly needed a score after he fired Sussex towards a last-ball win.

Sharks held off Middlesex for a four-run success in a T20 Vitality Blast thriller at Lord’s.

Shadab, whose form as an overseas signing had been underwhelming, hit 59 off 30 balls to help Sussex set 181-8 after a shaky start.

Middlesex skipper and opener Steve Eskinazi batted throughout the reply for 94 not out as they reached 177-5.

The hosts needed 12 to win off the last over but were restricted to seven runs by Tymal Mills.

 

Shadab said: “It’s amazing because no-one gets the opportunity to easily play at Lord’s.

“We were very positive and had nothing to lose here as we haven’t started well as a team.

“We wanted to win badly, and we were on the right side tonight.”

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Ravi Bopara (38 off 26) helped add 91 in eight overs for the fourth wicket.

Shadab said: “We are the most experienced players in our team, so we had to use that experience.

“I didn’t start well in this tournament, so that innings I needed badly as well.

“It’s the beauty of cricket. We started well the first four overs with the ball, but they finished the powerplay well.

“When Ravi and I bowled our eight overs we were in the game at that time, and at the end Tymal used all his experience and bowled well.”

Sussex host Surrey on Friday evening before a sell-out 6,000 crowd at Hove.