Gladiators Claim Second T10 Title

In a thrilling final that showcased the excitement of T10 cricket, Deccan Gladiators secured their second Abu Dhabi T10 title in three years, triumphing over the Morrisville Samp Army by eight wickets. The convincing victory stemmed from a commanding performance, with Tom Kohler-Cadmore leading the charge with an explosive, unbeaten 21-ball knock of 56 runs. Meanwhile, Nicholas Pooran contributed significantly, scoring 28 runs off just 10 deliveries.

Electing to field first, the Gladiators adopted a disciplined bowling strategy that effectively stifled the Samp Army’s scoring potential. Maheesh Theekshana delivered the first breakthrough, dismissing Sharjeel Khan for a mere five runs. Following this, Charith Asalanka was run out, adding to the mounting pressure on the batting side. The pairing of Andries Gous and Faf du Plessis managed to inject some life into the innings, forging a brisk 37-run partnership off just 16 balls for the third wicket. Gous scored 21 runs from nine balls, while du Plessis grappled with the innings, contributing 34 runs from 23 deliveries.

Despite the spirited effort from Gous and du Plessis, the Gladiators quickly regained control of the game. They delivered a remarkable spell, claiming four wickets for the addition of only six runs in the span of 11 balls, which severely curtailed Samp Army’s momentum. As the innings progressed, Karim Janat attempted to stabilize the situation for the Samp Army with a resilient eight-ball 16 run contribution. Ultimately, the Samp Army concluded their innings with a total of 104 runs for the loss of 7 wickets, a score deemed inadequate in this rapidly-paced format. For the Gladiators, Richard Gleeson emerged as the standout bowler, returning impressive figures of 2 wickets for 16 runs in his two overs.

As the Gladiators began their innings, Kohler-Cadmore wasted no time asserting dominance over the bowlers. He unleashed a barrage of aggressive batting, beginning with four consecutive boundaries off Rohan Mustafa’s first over. Nicholas Pooran quickly joined the action, striking Amir Hamza for a towering six; however, his real fireworks came when he took on Imad Wasim, smiting two sixes and a four in the third over. This explosive batting display saw the Gladiators race to the fifty-run mark in just 2.4 overs, indicating their intent to secure the title with urgency.

Despite some resistance from Isuru Udana, who managed to dismiss Pooran, the momentum remained firmly with the Gladiators. Rilee Rossouw invigorated the innings with his own brand of aggressive cricket, smashing three fours off his first four deliveries. Kohler-Cadmore continued his onslaught against Qais Ahmed in the fifth over, producing a series of powerful strokes that included three sixes and a four, escalating the total by 25 runs in that single over. By this juncture, the Gladiators were nearing their target and firmly in the driver’s seat.

Kohler-Cadmore’s breathtaking half-century arrived off just 17 balls, an affirmation of his impact on the match. Although Hamza managed to dismiss Rossouw for 12 runs, the match was nearing its conclusion. Jos Buttler then took charge and hit a six off Qais, culminating in the Gladiators’ chase. The Gladiators reached their target of 105 runs in just 6.5 overs, sealing the victory with a commanding display of batting prowess.

Kohler-Cadmore’s remarkable performance throughout the tournament did not go unnoticed. He finished as the leading run-scorer, amassing a total of 278 runs in nine innings. His impressive strike rate of 198.57, complemented by three half-centuries, underscored his status as a critical asset for the Gladiators.

In essence, the final match not only highlighted the Gladiators’ tactical acumen but also showcased individual brilliance, particularly from Kohler-Cadmore and Pooran. Their contributions were instrumental in securing the title, thus reinforcing the Gladiators’ position as a dominant force in the Abu Dhabi T10 circuit.

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