Gladiators crowned Abu Dhabi T10 champions for third time

The final of 2024 Abu Dhabi T10 tournament between Deccan Gladiators and Morrisville Samp Army that was played at Zayed Cricket Stadium turned out to be a complete entertainer for the spectators. Chasing 105, Gladiators unleashed some fireworks and gunned down the target by 8 wickets and with more than three overs to spare.

They were off to a flying start as opener and England batter Tom Kohler-Cadmore took on skipper Rohan Mustafa in the very first over. Cadmore smashed four fours on the trot to begin the chase in first over while his opening partner and skipper Nicholas Pooran joined the party soon.

Pooran who hails from West Indies dominated Pakistan spinner Imad Wasim as Gladiators collected 20 runs in third over and went past the 50-run mark. The left-handed batter was eventually dismissed for 28 off 10 by pacer Isuru Udana after Mustafa took a blinder in the deep but that didn’t really help Samp Army as Cadmore continued with his aggressive batting display and notched up a fifty.

Earlier, Morrisville Samp Army never really got the start they wanted and lost wickets in regular succession to get reduced to 81/5. It was a late surge from Afghanistan’s Karim Janat who chipped in with 16 off 8 in final overs of the innings that took the total to 104/7 in 10 overs. Faf du Plessis top-scored with 34 off 23 while wicket-keeper batter Andries Gous struck 21 off 9. England pacer Richard Gleeson returned with figures of 2/16 in two overs for Deccan Gladiators.

Cabinet Member and Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahyan’s speech during mid innings became the highlight of the day. Spectators at Zayed Cricket Stadium also got to witness an electrifying performance from Elnaaz Norouzi during the title clash.

Deccan Gladiators have been crowned the champions of Abu Dhabi T10 League for the third time.

Earlier, Morrisville Samp Army sealed a spot in the final to face off against the Deccan Gladiators once again in 2024 Abu Dhabi T10, the league’s eighth edition, at Zayed Cricket Stadium.

Chasing a total of 90, US international Andries Gous faced the heat from Delhi Bulls bowling attack but stuck to the end to set up the win for his side, playing a crucial 38-run knock. The right-handed batter kept going despite wickets tumbling on the other end, and ensured he remained his composure after being struck on the helmet by Pakistan speedster Salman Irshad.

But the game turned around with Irshad picking up two consecutive wickets of Gous and Karim Janat, and suddenly, Samp Army found themselves in a tough spot, needing 30 runs to win in 3 overs with just 5 wickets.

England’s Jack Taylor and Pakistan’s veteran batter Imad Wasim ensured they keep the scoreboard ticking along. After settling themselves with a few deliveries, the two players started dealing in boundaries, and finished off the chase in style with three balls to spare. Taylor’s 23* off 11 balls were enough to take Morrisville through to the final as they won the match by 5 wickets.

Meanwhile, Delhi Bulls were rocked by a tremendous bowling performance from Samp Army as Sri Lankan international Isuru Udana and Afghanistan spinner Amir Hamza combined to dismantle the Bulls’ solid batting line-up. While Udana picked up three wickets for 17 runs in his 2 overs, Hamza picked up 2 wickets for 22 runs. The left-arm pacer was also named the man of the match for his efforts.

Samp Army restricted the Bulls to 89/7 in 10 overs, setting themselves up for an easy chase, and comfortably completed it with five balls to spare.

Earlier, England international Tom Banton was the star of the show for Delhi Bulls as the franchise made their way to the second Qualifier in 2024 Abu Dhabi T10, league’s eighth edition, with back-to-back wins on Sunday at Zayed Cricket Stadium. The right-handed batter played an unbelievable knock of 73 runs off 26 balls against Team Abu Dhabi in the second Eliminator, scoring a whopping 9 sixes in his innings.

With a late fireworks from skipper Rovman Powell, who hammered an unbeaten 20 runs in 6 balls, Delhi posted the season’s highest total - 158/3 in 10 overs, to set up a steep chase for the opposition.

In response, the asking rate proved to be too much for Abu Dhabi, and despite keeping wickets in hand, the home side struggled to get going.