Ferocious battle in Abu Dhabi T10 as race for the top slots intensifies

By K.R. Nayar 

Deccan Gladiators have glided to the top of the table displacing Team Abu Dhabi, while Bangla Tigers moved to the second position as the battle for the top slots in the table intensified in the Abu Dhabi T10 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium.

Bangla Tigers's openers Hazratullah Zazai and Johnson Charles

On Saturday, after Northern Warriors trounced table-toppers Team Abu Dhabi in the first match, the next two matches of the day turned out to be a race to occupy the top of the table position. Gladiators beat Delhi Bulls by eight wickets and succeeded in clinching the top slot in the points table. Tigers, with their second match win over Chennai Braves, are in the second slot. A look at the points table is a clear indication of the fierce battle that is on in this edition with three teams at 10 points each after seven games, and they are being closely chased by Delhi Bulls with eight points.

Teams that have won five out of their seven matches will go for the kill in the coming matches. Cricket, knowns for its unpredictability, will be at its best in the coming days. After tasting tasted victory in the last few matches, the Tigers seem to be unstoppable. They have registered five wins in a row now. Chennai Braves could muster only 89 for 4 in their last match. This team has yet to overcome its weaknesses and win a match. Their batsmen managed to play a few shots but have not been able to deliver as expected from them. Mohammad Shahzad top-scored with 32 while Mark Deyal hit 28. Tigers' Luke Fletcher bagged two out of the four wickets that fell while all other bowlers chipped in and giving nothing away.

It was virtually a cakewalk for the Tigers to the target. Their consistent opener Hazratullah Zazai and Johnson Charles put on 82 runs in 4.5 overs to nullify all efforts from Chennai for a fightback. Zazai hit an unbeaten 46 off 16 balls with five sixes and two boundaries while Charles hit 30 off 15 balls before getting caught behind off Roman Walker. Tigers won by nine wickets with 25 balls to spare.

Tom Banton 

The third match of the day was supposed to be a hard-fought one but Delhi Bulls could post only 94 for 6. Gladiators' Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva and Tymal Mills bowled brilliantly to pick two wickets each. None of the Bulls batsmen could post a big total or register a good partnership. If not for Romario Shepherd’s unbeaten 26 they would have landed up posting a smaller total.

Chasing a total below 100 needs only one good partnership. Tom Banton and Najibullah Zadran did just that through a 69 runs partnership for the second wicket. Banton remain unbeaten on 46 while Zadran got out after hitting a quick 35 off 11 balls. Gladiators won by eight wickets with 23 balls to spare.