On a dramatic Tuesday night in Canberra, as future international Sam Konstas stunned in his Big Bash League debut, allrounder Sams lifted the Thunder from a looming loss at the start of the 19th over to a certain victory just six balls later.
Still needing 34 runs to win, Sams (42* from 18 balls) delivered one of the most brutal displays of hitting in BBL history - going six, six, wide, four, six, four and four from Pope's over.
Pope's first 18 balls were serviceable, but he was taken down by Sams to equal the record, held by Perth Scorchers' Andrew Tye, for most expensive over in BBL history.
Requiring just three runs from the final over, the Thunder secured the victory with two balls to spare.
"As soon as 'Popey' came on in that second-last over, that was the over to take down," Sams told the Seven Network.
"These are the kind of wins, especially early in the tournament, that can get you a long way.
"We were in a position where we probably should have cruised, and then we were in a position where it's going to be tough to win so getting over the line is really important."
Sams' late heroics ended up overshadowing Konstas smashing the fastest fifty in Thunder history.
Young Sam Konstas scored the fastest-ever 50 for the Sydney Thunder in the BBL. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)
Konstas blasted 56 from 27 balls, reaching his milestone from just 20 balls, to eclipse the record of towering Englishman Alex Hales (21 balls).
At just 19 years and 76 days, Konstas also became the youngest player to score a BBL half-century, eclipsing Jason Sangha's record by 28 days.
It continues his impressive record at the ACT venue, having smashed a 90-ball century for the Prime Minister's XI against India earlier in December.
Having catapulted into Test calculations this summer, ultimately missing out on the vacant opener's spot to Nathan McSweeney, Konstas showed he is a three-format prospect.
The right-handed opener fired from the first ball he faced, hitting shots to every corner of the ground.
In an exciting prospect for the BBL, there is a coming together of generations at the top of the order for the Thunder.
David Warner, who is leading the Thunder during this BBL campaign after his captaincy ban was recently overturned, is double the age of his opening partner.
Warner said Konstas wouldn't have played if veteran Nic Maddinson wasn't sidelined with a finger injury, but confirmed the young gun was a "lock here now".
"He wanted to take the first ball regardless," the 38-year-old told the Seven Network of Konstas.
"That's the beauty of playing young kids.Â
'He's on a high, he's really riding his form, and that's exciting."
Englishman Jamie Overton, who has a Test batting average of 97 from his solitary international red-ball appearance, slammed an unbeaten 45 to power the Strikers to an imposing total after Warner won the toss and elected to bowl.
Spinners Chris Green (3-27) and Tanveer Sangha (2-27) combined for half of the wickets, while New Zealander Lockie Ferguson (3-24) impressed in his first game for the Thunder.
Strikers opener Jake Weatherald set up the innings with 40, before Overton ended it on a high.
12°C