Following last night's breathtaking one-run victory over pre-tournament favourites Melbourne Stars, Sydney Thunder have been penalised by the KFC Big Bash League for maintaining a slow over rate.

After posting 6-178 from 20 overs off the back of Usman Khawaja's blazing unbeaten 109, the Thunder restricted the Stars to 5-177 despite a sterling 76 from England import Kevin Pietersen.

The gripping contest came down to the final delivery, with Stars allrounder James Faulkner needing a boundary off the last ball of the match, bowled by South African legend Jacques Kallis, to win.

WATCH: King Kallis denies the Finisher

But the home crowd left deflated after veteran Kallis held his nerve, conceding only two off the ultimate delivery to secure the win by the smallest of margins and see the Thunder move to the top of the BBL|05 ladder undefeated.

However, the lengthy second innings was deemed to be one over behind the required over rate by the governing body after time allowances were taken into consideration.

Each member of the Thunder XI have been fined $1,000, but that figure will be reduced by half if the Thunder accept the penalty without appeal.

But the major blow to the Thunder is the strike handed to Mike Hussey; if the skipper receives a second strike this BBL season he will be dealt a one-match suspension.

WATCH: Hussey's timeless classic

Champion leg-spinner Shane Warne was in a similar situation in BBL|02 after copping his own slow over rate penalty that season.

To avoid a possible suspension in the final, the Stars named Faulkner captain for their semi-final clash against the Perth Scorchers in January 2013.

But the move backfired two-fold: the Stars lost the match off the last ball in scintillating fashion and Warne was reported for breaching Cricket Australia's Code of Behaviour which stated "If a team's official captain is selected but not named as captain, this will be considered against the Spirit of Cricket and may attract a Code of Behaviour charge".

The Thunder will look to extend their unbeaten run against Adelaide Strikers on December 28 at Spotless Stadium.