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Abu Dhabi T10: Here’s everything you need to know about 29 spectacular matches to be played at Abu Dhabi’s iconic Zayed Cricket Stadium
- Updated: January 31, 2021
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Can Maratha Arabians become the first team to win back-to-back Abu Dhabi T10 titles or will we have a new name on the trophy? Will batsmen rule the roost or will bowlers have the upper hand? The time to find an answer to all these questions has finally arrived.
29 matches in 10 days
Starting on January 28 and running through February 6, The Abu Dhabi T10 will have eight world-class teams, featuring some of the biggest superstars of sports, fighting it out in 29 high-intensity matches at Abu Dhabi’s iconic Zayed Cricket Stadium.
Each match will be 20 overs, 10 for each team, and will conclude Starting on January 28 and running through February 6, The Abu Dhabi T10 will have eight world-class teams, featuring some of the biggest superstars of sports, fighting it out in 29 high-intensity matches at Abu Dhabi’s iconic Zayed Cricket Stadium. Within one and a half hours, making sure fans get all the thrill, action, and drama wrapped into a 90-minute package. To set the ball rolling, eight teams have been divided into two groups of four, with every team facing the other once in the group stage. After the group stage, the standings will determine the fixtures of the Super League stage, which begins on February 1.
After 12 matches in the Super League stage, the competition will get sharper as we move closer to the tournament’s business end. The Playoffs will take place on February 5, followed by the grand finale on February 6. With three 10-over matches happening daily until the final night, fans can gear up for a high dose of non-stop, fast-paced cricketing action every day.
Eight teams, one goal
A total of eight teams from two groups will battle it out to be crowned the champions of The Abu Dhabi T10. Group A features the defending champions Maratha Arabians and former champions Northern Warriors and the young and energetic Bangla Tigers and the Dwayne Bravo-led Delhi Bulls.
Group B is equally competitive as last season’s finalists Deccan Gladiators are drawn with Qalandars, led by Shahid Afridi, and the newly formed Pune Devils and Team Abu Dhabi, which features the Universe Boss Chris Gayle.
Defending champions Maratha Arabians, who have assembled an entirely new squad, will begin their title defence against former champions Northern Warriors from Group A in the tournament opener, followed by Group B’s first match between the Pune Devils and Deccan Gladiators.
Players that will make it count
Each team features a blend of seasoned cricketers and young talents to take their teams to the summit. Chris Gayle, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Sunil Narine, Nicholas Pooran, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, and Mohammad Amir are some of the big names that will take the field for their teams.
However, the tournament also features several exciting young talents that demand attention for their impeccable achievements at a young age such as Afghan wicketkeeper-batsman Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who played a vital role in Afghanistan’s recent win over Ireland, and Nepal’s 16-year-old Kushal Malla, who holds the world record for being the youngest to score a One-Day International half-century. The tournament also provides an opportunity for local United Arab Emirates cricketers to rub shoulders with some of the global superstars, which will, in turn, accelerate the development of the UAE’s fast-evolving cricket culture.
For instance, one of the most experienced cricketers from the UAE, Rohan Mustafa, has been handed the vice-captaincy of Team Abu Dhabi, while a 16-year-old Maroof Merchant has been drafted into the Maratha Arabians squad. The Abu Dhabi T10 is not just an event for the big guns to flex their muscles. It is a platform that focuses on the collective progress of youngsters and local heroes.
Entertainment guaranteed
Amidst all the uncertainties of the T10 format and questions of who will make it to the final, we can assure you one thing – the entertainment quotient is going to be off the roof!
The Abu Dhabi T10 will be nothing less than a spectacle when Chris Gayle, Shahid Afridi, Kieron Pollard, Shoaib Malik and Sunil Narine will be in action. Last season, nearly 6,000 runs were second, some 250 wickets fell, and more than 300 sixes were smashed! In last year’s Indian Premier League (IPL), a maximum was scored off about every 20th ball. In Abu Dhabi T10, a six rained off every 10th ball. Twice as much!
So, if you don’t want to suffer from a serious case of FOMO (fear of missing out), cancel your plans, grab your popcorn, and get ready for 10 days of mind-blowing entertainment.
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