The Thunder's 21-run DLS defeat of the Melbourne Stars in Wednesday night's knockout final set up the first post-season clash between the Sydney rivals in 14 iterations of the BBL.
The winner of Friday night's clash at the SCG will book a date with the Hobart Hurricanes in Monday night's grand final at Hobart's Ninja Stadium.
Tanveer says the Thunder will take advantage of the Sixers not having their "big dogs" playing. (Jeremy Ng/AAP PHOTOS)
One of the league's most enduringly successful franchises, the Sixers have historically had the better of the Thunder, who had won only two of the past 10 clashes prior to this summer.
But the Sixers needed until the last ball to defeat the Thunder in the rivals' first match-up this season, before rain denied Sangha's side a chance for revenge last week.
Australian white-ball leg-spinner Sangha said the Thunder had already proven they were capable of matching it with the Sixers, whose Test players Steve Smith, Sean Abbott and Todd Murphy left camp after last week's washout.
The Sixers are also without top-order batter James Vince and spinner Akeal Hosein, the internationals shipping out to the UAE for the ILT20 competition ahead of the finals.
"Knowing that their big dogs aren't there, there's no-one really scoring runs for them. I think we can put them under a lot of pressure," Sangha said.
The best figures in a BBL finals match. Nathan McAndrew was outstanding with the ball! — KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) #POTM #BBL14 pic.twitter.com/OtkwSbMYukJanuary 22, 2025
"We're never in the Sixers' shadow. I think they're always scared to face us."
The Thunder will take extra confidence from the Sixers' 12-run qualifying-final loss to the Hurricanes.
The Sixers were left to rue losing big names Josh Philippe, Jack Edwards and Moises Henriques collapsing to 3-5 in the first three overs of their run chase.
The Thunder proved capable of inflicting similar early damage as paceman Nathan McAndrew dismissed both openers to push the Stars to 2-15 in the powerplay on Wednesday night.
"We saw in the Hurricanes game they (the Sixers) played down in Hobart, I think early wickets can really damage them," Sangha said.
"If we can try and do the same thing, get early wickets, put pressure on them, I think they can be vulnerable."
The subsequently washed-out clash between the Sixers and Thunder sold out days in advance, with more than 30,000 fans turning out despite the horrid weather.
TANVEER SANGHA.— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) He's spinning this game around at ENGIE Stadium. #BBL14 pic.twitter.com/eeIGnMiRgDJanuary 22, 2025
As of Wednesday afternoon, the qualifying final had already sold 7,000 seats, with that number spiking immediately after the Thunder locked up their spot on Wednesday night.
"It's going to be a blockbuster. I think it could be the best game off the tournament," Sangha said of Friday's game.
"I'm looking forward to facing the Sixers and beating them at their home ground.
"They're expected to win. They usually beat the Thunder. I think we're going to turn it around this year."
