A flashback on the T10 league as the fast and furious ninth edition gets ready

By K.R. Nayar

It all began with a spark. It was through an exclusive interview with me in early 2017 that Shaji Ul Mulk, the visionary chairman of the T10 League, first announced his audacious plan to stage a T10 tournament. The idea sounded radical — cricket shrunk into just ten overs a side! When the interview appeared in the newspaper the next day, many laughed and scoffed. “How can such a short format ever be exciting?” they asked. It was an era when even the T20 format was under attack from cricket’s purists, dismissed as not serious cricket — just mere entertainment.

 

When Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Chairman of Emirates Cricket Board unveiled the T10 Trophy in 2017 with Shaji Ul Mulk

But Shaji Ul Mulk had seen the future before others did. Following that interview, I was flooded with calls and messages, curiosity crackling on every line. That flurry of reactions inspired me to dedicate my weekly column, Over the Wicket, to this bold new concept. In that column, I had written that this format would be something special. Many thought I was simply backing Shaji Ul Mulk’s enthusiasm as the ever-passionate head of the Ajman Cricket Council. None could have imagined that this format would go on to host eight electrifying editions — and now stands proudly on the brink of its ninth.

 

My weekly column on T10 in 2017

A decade of daring – The ninth edition beckons

From November 18 to November 30, 2025, the ninth edition of the Abu Dhabi T10 will be held at the majestic Abu Dhabi Zayed Cricket Stadium. In that same 2017 interview, Shaji had promised that the format would be fast, furious, and exciting. Those three words became my headline then for my first report on this tournament.

The headline to my report that has lived to the test of time 

Every single edition has lived up to that mantra. The gigantic sixes, flying boundaries and cartwheeling stumps backed by the roar of the crowd transformed the sceptics of T10 tournament into lovers of this format. If not, would nations like Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, and even the United States, have adopted their own T10 leagues? Sri Lanka T10, Zim Afro T10,and US T10 are all proud offsprings of Shaji Ul Mulk’s original vision — a concept born almost a decade ago that has now gone global.

 

Wave of success. Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan and Shaji ul Mulk wave as a packed stadium cheered  the format

Gladiators vs Bulls – the battle begins

Defending champions Deccan Gladiators will open their title defence against Delhi Bulls on the opening night at 8 p.m. The clash itself carries symbolism — gladiators are born to fight, while bulls charge with unstoppable strength and tenacity. And that’s what T10 cricket is — a fierce contest that tests not just skills but nerves and stamina to the last ball.

It was a delight to write this report on the success of a league which many thought will fail

Earlier, in the evening, at 5.45 p.m., Quetta Qavalry will face Northern Warriors to set the stage ablaze with the first salvo of the tournament. Expect fireworks, drama, and adrenaline right from the first over.

 

The spirit of the league lives on

Some of the biggest names in limited-overs cricket will light up Abu Dhabi once again. Announcing the tournament, Shaji Ul Mulk said, “Cricket’s fastest format continues to grow each year, and it’s always been our mission to deliver the most entertaining version of the game to fans around the world.”

Full page report with my column on the day Eoin Morgan led Kerala Kings emerged as the first champions of the league 

That mission began in 2017, when  Eoin Morgan-led Kerala Kings, co-owned by Shafi Ul Mulk (Shaji’s brother), lifted the inaugural trophy before a thunderous Sharjah crowd. I still remember that final vividly — thousands of fans stood outside the Sharjah Stadium, desperate for tickets, as the cheers rolled like waves across the night. The spirit born that evening has never dimmed. The tempo still races high, and from November 18, Abu Dhabi will once again pulsate with two weeks of thrilling action.

T10 league spreads it wings. Shaji Ul Mulk with the Sri Lanka T10 trophy 

Eight teams, one dream

The tournament will follow the exciting Round-Robinformat, where every team takes on every other during the league stage. The eight teams in contention are: Ajman Titans, Aspin Stallions, Deccan Gladiators, Delhi Bulls, Northern Warriors, Quetta Qavalry, Royal Champs, and Vista Riders. The top four teams will charge into the playoffs, eyeing the glittering crown of world’s fastest cricket league.

 

Ajman Titans set to evoke nostalgia 

Ajman Titans are new entrants to the tournament, but very few may know that this emirate has a special significance in the T10 format. The plans to stage a T10 tournament began when Shaji Ul Mulk was the head of the Ajman Cricket Council, which was among the most active councils in the UAE. Their debut entry will be nostalgic for those who used to regularly play in Ajman’s domestic tournaments.

The Titans’ squad shines with stars like Moeen Ali, Rilee Rossouw, Piyush Chawla, and UAE’s rising gem Alishan Sharafu. Alongside them are Will Smeed, Jason Behrendorff, Alex Hales, Dan Lawrence, Asif Ali, Chris Green, Akif Javed, Zaman Khan, Aneurin Donald, Haider Ali, Wasim Akram, Luc Benkenstein, Tom Aspinwall, Joe Clarke, and Asif Khan — a team brimming with firepower and flair.

My interview with Shaji Ul Mulk after the second edition turns successful 

Shaji Ul Mulk praised the team owners for their bold approach, saying, “The franchises have shown their hand with some smart picks and bold moves at the draft. From surprise selections to strategic additions, it’s clear the teams are gearing up for a thrilling edition of the 2025 Abu Dhabi T10.”

Aspin Stallions – soaring with ambition

Another exciting entrant gallops into the tournament is the Aspin Stallions, owned by Ahmad Khoori,Member of the UAE Federal National Council and former Senior Vice President of Emirates Airlines. Playing under the AMH Sports banner, the team features Sam Billings, Tymal Mills, Harbhajan Singh, Andre Fletcher, and many more exciting names — Sherfane Rutherford, Avishka Fernando, Binura Fernando, Saif Hassan, Ryan Burl, Akhilesh Bodugum, Ali Khan, Ben Cutting, and Monank Patel, among others. Can one expect flair, fireworks, and fearlessness from this new Stallions?.

 

The defending Gladiators

The mighty Deccan Gladiators, three-time champions, once again look the team to beat. Every name in their line-up screams match-winner — Nicholas Pooran, Marcus Stoinis, Andre Russell, Akeal Hosein, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, and David Wiese, to name a few. Owner Gaurav Grover has always believed in assembling the best. The other players are Richard Gleeson, Usman Tariq, David Wiese, Lahiru Kumara, Jordan Thompson, Dilpreet Singh Bajwa, Jake Ball, Ibrar Ahmed, Muhammad Jawadullah, Ajay Kumar, Ali Raza, Wafiullah Tarakhil, Laurie Evans, and Mark Chapman. 

Delhi Bulls – The charge continues

Delhi Bulls are owned by Neelesh Bhatnagar, who has earned a name as one of the finest businessmen in the region. From inception, he was particular that his team should have the best limited-over stars. Being two-time runners-up, he is hopeful that this edition’s title will be won by his team. Hence, he has formed a squad made up of Rovman Powell, Phil Salt, Kieron Pollard, Tim David, Sunil Narine, Blessing Muzarabani, Salman Irshad, James Vince, Tom Moores, Qais Ahmad, Mir Hamza, James Coles, Muhammad Rohid, Junaid Siddique, Farhan Khan, Brian Bennett, Arab Gul, Romario Shepherd, and Fazalhaq Farooqi.

Northern Warriors – Hungry for redemption

Northern Warriors, the two-time winners of this tournament, are owned by Mohomed Morani, Shabaz Elias, Nader Hussein Adam Ali, Osman Osman, and Zunaid Aziz Moti. The team has some of the most explosive batters and skilful all-rounders such as Shimron Hetmyer, Trent Boult, Thisara Perera, Johnson Charles, Colin Munro, Azmatullah Omarzai, Tabraiz Shamsi, Odean Smith, Shahnawaz Dahani, Dinesh Chandimal, Hazratullah Zazai, Asitha Fernando, Sagar Kalyan, Yakin Kiran Rai, Shahid Iqbal Bhutta, Bilal Sami, Faridoon Dawoodzai, Prabath Jayasuriya, and Kadeem Alleyne. Since the title has eluded them since 2021, they will be a determined lot to regain the trophy.

Quetta Qavalry – a new challenger

Quetta Qavalry is another new entrant. They have already announced that the team will be led by Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir. It has some of the best Pakistan players, with allrounder Yasir Arafat as head coach and former Pakistan women’s cricketer Javeria Khan as team director. South Africa’s legendary spinner Imran Tahir is also in the squad. The others in the team are Liam Livingstone, Jason Holder, Sikandar Raza, Andries Gous, Evin Lewis, Fabian Allen, Abbas Afridi, Irfan Khan Niazi, George Scrimshaw, Khawaja Nafay, Muhammad Waseem, Abdul Ghaffa, Khuzaima Bin Tanvir, Arafat Minhas, Umar Lohya, Gudakesh Motie, and Ali Nasser.

Royal Champs – Regal and ready

Royal Champs are hoping to create a sensation in their tournament debut. They have announced that Bangladesh allrounder Shakib Al Hasan will lead the team. The legendary West Indies player Courtney Walsh is their coach. They have also roped in England’s aggressive opener Jason Roy. Team CEO Rajeshree Shete has declared that they have an excellent combination of players. The other members of the team are Angelo Mathews, Chris Jordan, Daniel Sams, Mohammad Shehzad, Niroshan Dickwella, Rishi Dhawan, Liam Dawson, Brandon McMullen, Isuru Udana, Quentin Sampson, Rahul Chopra, Haider Razzaq, Zahid Ali, Kelvin Pitman, Vishen Halambage, Ziaur Rahman Sharifi, and Aaron Jones.

Vista Riders – set for a promising ride

 

Vista Riders are another new team, but an exciting one. It includes South Africa’s legendary cricketer Faf du Plessis. Kerala fans here will get to see S. Sreesanth, who will spearhead the team’s bowling attack. The team has also picked some of the finest UAE players and looks like one of the best bowling sides. The other players are Matthew Wade, Dwaine Pretorius, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Andrew Tye, Unmukt Chand, Ben McDermott, Dilshan Madushanka, Nahid Rana, Angelo Perera, Sean Dickson, Harshit Kaushik, Ansh Tandon, CP Rizwan, Izharullah Naveed, Ackeem Auguste, Murali Vijay, and Sharafuddin Ashraf.

A vision fulfilled

As the ninth edition nears, Shaji Ul Mulk stands proud — not as a mere organiser but as the pioneer of a revolution. “This journey wouldn’t be possible without the unwavering support of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board, and our partners at the Department of Culture & Tourism – Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and Abu Dhabi Cricket & Sports Hub,” he said.

From a daring idea to a global cricketing spectacle — the Abu Dhabi T10 has come full circle. Fast. Furious. Fearless. The countdown has begun.