Sharafuddin Ashraf delivered a brilliant final over as the Vista Riders defended 84/9 to clinch a tense six-run victory over the Aspen Stallions in a low-scoring thriller at the 2025 Abu Dhabi T10 on Friday. In the day’s second match, the UAE Bulls survived a late assault from Aaron Jones and Chris Jordan to secure a four-run win against the Royal Champs.
Batting first, the Riders struggled for momentum after losing Faf du Plessis and Ben McDermott early in the power play. Chand’s dismissal at 42/5 further deepened the collapse, before Dwaine Pretorius (29 off 12) lifted the total to 84/9 with a late counterattack. The Stallions’ bowlers dominated throughout, led by Ashmead Nedd (2/8) and Binura Fernando (2/15).
The Stallions’ chase faltered immediately, crashing to 4/3 with Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Avishka Fernando, and Andre Fletcher dismissed inside the first eight balls. Sreesanth and Andrew Tye triggered the early damage, but Ben Cutting’s 35 off 19 revived hopes, supported by Leus du Plooy (14 off 13). With 17 required from the final over, Ashraf held his nerve, contributing to a run-out, then removing Zohair Iqbal before restricting scoring to singles as Vista completed a dramatic defence.
Bulls withstand late surge to defeat Royal Champs
Earlier, the UAE Bulls edged the Royal Champs by four runs after defending a target of 124. The Champs slipped early when Jason Roy fell lbw to Muhammad Rohid, and despite quick runs from Niroshan Dickwella (19 off 14) and Brandon McMullen (19 off 10), wickets in clusters stalled momentum.
Junaid Siddique’s double-strike, removing Quentin Sampson and Daniel Sams in consecutive balls, left the Champs reeling at 64/5, forcing Aaron Jones (37 off 14) and Chris Jordan (33 off 11) into rescue mode. The pair smashed 52 runs in a late surge that kept the contest alive heading into the last over.
Requiring 27 off six, Jones and Jordan struck 23 in a spirited finish, but the Bulls held on to secure their second win of the campaign.
