In a stunning turn of events, the New York Strikers claimed the top spot in the Abu Dhabi T10 league after the Delhi Bulls crumbled to a record-low total. Despite boasting a formidable lineup including Quinton de Kock, Johnson Charles, James Vince, Rilee Rossouw, Rovman Powell, Ravi Bopara, and Dwayne Bravo, the Bulls could only manage a meager 31 runs. The Strikers secured their victory with a 67-run margin, marking their third win in the tournament.
The Strikers’ triumph was spearheaded by Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s impressive 49 not out, guiding his team to a respectable total of 98 for 4. The Bulls, in response, faced a disastrous collapse with Akeal Hosein and Chamika Karunaratne wreaking havoc, claiming three wickets each. Bopara was the lone batsman to reach double digits with 16 runs as the Bulls were bundled out with just three balls remaining, four of their players registering ducks.
The Bulls, after starting with three consecutive victories, have now suffered two consecutive defeats, finding themselves at No. 3 on the table. Meanwhile, the Strikers, who initially faced defeat in their opening match, have rebounded impressively with three consecutive wins, securing the top spot.
T10: Sams and Cox Condemn Team Abu Dhabi to Fifth Consecutive Loss
In another riveting match, the Bangla Tigers secured a comprehensive 9-wicket win over Team Abu Dhabi, who now find themselves reeling with five consecutive losses in the season.
Electing to bat first, Team Abu Dhabi faced an early setback as Daniel Sams, bowling for the Tigers, dismissed Kyle Mayers and Tom Banton in the very first over. Shannon Gabriel further added to Abu Dhabi’s woes by removing Alex Hales in the third over. Despite a brief effort by skipper Dwaine Pretorius, who scored a 13-ball 15, Abu Dhabi kept losing wickets regularly. Sams returned for a second over to dismiss Pretorius, and late fireworks from Rumman Raees, who scored an unbeaten 20 off eight balls, provided a minor boost to the innings.
Chasing a modest target of 67, the Tigers’ Jordan Cox stole the show with a rapid half-century, reaching 56 off 23 balls. James Fuller’s early breakthrough by dismissing Avishka Fernando for a duck was the only success for Abu Dhabi, as Cox’s aggressive innings, featuring ten fours and two sixes, guided the Tigers to victory with more than half of their overs to spare. The win propels the Bangla Tigers to fifth place on the table, keeping them in contention for a spot in the knockout stage.
