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Deccan Gladiators qualify for Abu Dhabi T10 final

Pooran remained unbeaten on 72 off 33, a knock that included five sixes and four fours

Published: Sun 1 Dec 2024, 7:02 PM

Updated: Sun 1 Dec 2024, 11:22 PM

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Nicholas Pooran celebrates his half-century. — Supplied photos

Nicholas Pooran celebrates his half-century. — Supplied photos

Deccan Gladiators humbled Morrisville Samp Army who have had an impeccable run in the round-robin stage in Qualifier 1 of 2024 Abu Dhabi T10 tournament at Zayed Cricket Stadium. With this thumping win, two-time champions Gladiators sealed a spot the final for fourth consecutive time and fifth overall.

Riding on some spectacular batting from their captain and West Indies player Nicholas Pooran along with England's Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Gladiators posted a mammoth 147/2 in 10 overs. Pooran remained unbeaten on 72 off 33, a knock that included five sixes and four fours.


Kohler-Cadmore on the other hand, notched up a half-century before he was eventually dismissed for 51 off 24.

Morrisville Samp Army then started off the chase in a positive manner as they collected 13 runs in the very first over but Gladiators' bowling unit quickly made a comeback as England pacer Richard Gleeson sent Charith Asalanka back in the hut for just one run in second over. This was followed by fall of wickets at regular intervals and Samp Army was pushed on the backfoot to eventually get restricted to 102/5.

Jack Taylor top-scored with 25 not out off 14 while wicketkeeper batter Andries Gous scored 22 off 14 and South Africa's star batter Faf dul Plessis struck 21 off 10.

For Gladiators, Usman Tariq, Gleeson and David Wiese were among the wickets. Tariq returned with bowling figures of 2/19 in 2 overs and played a major role in keeping a check on opponents' scoring rate. Gleeson and Wiese picked up one wicket each for the side.

Delhi Bulls in the hunt for final

England international Tom Banton was the star of the show for Delhi Bulls as the franchise made their way to the second Qualifier with back-to-back wins on Sunday at Zayed Cricket Stadium.

The right-handed batter played an unbelievable knock of 73 runs off 26 balls against Team Abu Dhabi in the second Eliminator, scoring a whopping nine sixes in his innings.

With a late fireworks from skipper Rovman Powell, who hammered an unbeaten 20 runs in 6 balls, Delhi posted the season's highest total - 158/3 in 10 overs, to set up a steep chase for the opposition.

In response, the asking rate proved to be too much for Abu Dhabi, and despite keeping wickets in hand, the home side struggled to get going. Delhi bowling attack featuring Pakistan internationals Fazalhaq Farooqi and Salman Irshad kept a tight leash on Jonny Bairstow, not allowing the England international to break through the shackles.

Despite South African domestic cricketer Leus du Plooy adding quickfire 32 off 12 balls, Team Abu Dhabi were restricted to 116/7 and bowed of the tournament losing the match by 42 runs.

Earlier, Bulls defeated UP Nawabs in the first Eliminator to prolong their stay in the competition, with another memorable knock from Banton and a classy bowling performance from the side. The bowling attack led by UAE's Muhammad Rohid, and Farooqi restricted the Nawabs to 99/7 in 10 overs.

In the chase, opener Banton led from the front, scoring an unbeaten 50 off 22 balls to take his side home in just 7.1 overs.

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