US Masters T10 concludes creating a great day for cricket as the final produces a tie and Texas Chargers emerge champions through a Super Over finish

By K.R. Nayar 

It was the final that showcased why T10 is a format that rapidly captures fans' attention. Texas Chargers emerged victors, narrowly beating New York Warriors in a gripping final where both teams scored 92 runs in their allotted ten overs. The champion was determined through a one-over eliminator. Mohammad Hafeez, rightfully awarded the Player of the Series, aptly commented, "It was wonderful entertainment for the world of cricket."

Texas Chargers -  winners of the inaugural US Masters T10

In the title clash held at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground in Lauderhill, Florida, on Sunday, Texas Chargers won the toss and elected to bowl. They managed to restrict New York Warriors to 92 for 6 despite Jonathan Carter's unbeaten 39. However, Texas Chargers were also bowled out for 92, with New York Warriors' Sohail Khan taking a five-wicket haul, even though opener Mohammad Hafeez contributed 46 runs.

The Super Over saw Sohail Khan, rightly named the Player of the Final, concede 15 runs while dismissing Texas Chargers’ skipper Ben Dunk. Chasing the target, New York Warriors could muster only 13 runs off Sohail Tanvir's over. The final concluded with a six by Jonathan Carter; unfortunately his effort went in vain. 

A final worth remembering

Texas Chargers won the toss and chose to bowl. New York Warriors' opener Kamran Akmal was clean-bowled by Fidel Edwards' first delivery of the first over. While attempting to play on the leg side, he got an inside edge and dislodged his bails. Richard Levi and Tillakaratne Dilshan pushed the score to 30 before Levi fell victim to Ehsan Adil, losing his off stump for 17. Eleven runs later, Tillakaratne Dilshan was skillfully caught by Tharanaga in the covers off Ehsan Adil for 18.

Skipper Misbah Ul Haq was dropped by Imran Khan at a score of 4, but the drop didn't prove costly as Imran Khan made amends by dismissing Misbah for 5. Much was expected of Shahid Afridi, but he too fell to Ehsan Adil for 1. Thisara Perera also removed the dangerous Abdul Razzaq for 3. Jonathan Carter's quick 39 off 17 balls included three boundaries and three sixes. He partnered with Umar Gul (3 not out) for an unbeaten 30-run seventh-wicket stand. Despite their efforts, New York Warriors could manage just 92 for 6 in 10 overs.

Chasing a target below 100 is generally considered easy in the T10 format, but Sohail Khan shattered any such confidence. He dismissed Texas Chargers opener Mukhtar Ahmed in the second over, clean bowling him for 6. Skipper Ben Dunk seemed to be guiding his team to victory alongside opener Mohammad Hafeez. Their 46-run partnership for the second wicket was interrupted by Umaid Asif, who got Dunk out for 20. At a score of 75, Mohammad Hafeez, who played a stellar innings of 46, fell to Jerome Taylor. His knock off 17 balls featured four boundaries and four sixes.

Darren Stevens fell leg-before to Umaid Asif for 2. The ninth over from Sohail Khan was exceptional. He dismantled Upul Tharanga's middle stump for 1 and also shattered the off and middle stumps of Phil Mustard with the next delivery. One ball later, Sohail Khan clean-bowled Thisara Perera for 4. With the last delivery of that over, Neil Broom succumbed to Sohail Khan. He finished with figures of 5 for 15.

Shahid Afridi - superb bowling 

Afridi, however, ensured Texas Chargers were all out for 92. He had Sohail Tanvir stumped by wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal for 8, and with the final ball, he trapped Fidel Edwards leg-before for a duck. This set the stage for the dramatic Super Over.

The journey of the two teams to the final

New York Warriors had topped the group stage to secure a spot in the playoffs. They had beaten California Knights in Qualifier 1 to secure their place in the final. On the other hand, Texas Chargers had a challenging path to the final. They advanced to the final through the eliminator, finishing third in the group stage. They overcame Morrisville Unity in the Eliminator and halted California Knights in Qualifier 2.

Man of the Series, Mohammad Hafeez, eloquently explained his team's victory and the brilliance of the inaugural edition. “We had immense belief that we could clinch the tournament, and that belief carried us through. We managed to accumulate runs during the powerplay. New York Warriors put up a strong fight. Ultimately, it provided exceptional entertainment for the cricketing world. The US Masters T10 has been a commendable initiative, and being part of the event was truly wonderful.”

Brief scores
Texas Chargers bt New York Warriors by one-over eliminator by two runs. New York Warriors 92 for 6 in 10 overs (Tillakaratne Dilshan 18, Richard Levi 17, Jonathan Carter 39n.o, Ehsan Adil 3 for 11) Texas Chargers 92 in 10 overs (Mohammad Hafeez 46, Ben Dunk 20, Sohail Khan 5 for 15, Umaid Asif 2 for 14, Shahid Afridi 2 for 8) 
Player of the final: Sohail Khan
Player of the Series: Mohammad Hafeez