In a commanding display at the Abu Dhabi T10 tournament, the New York Strikers secured a dominant 10-wicket win over Team Abu Dhabi at Zayed Cricket Stadium.

Batting first, Team Abu Dhabi struggled to find momentum, collapsing to 40/5 early on and managing just 73/7 in their allotted 10 overs. Man of the match Mohammad Amir starred with the ball for the Strikers, delivering a sensational spell of 3/7 in two overs. He was supported by Akeal Hosein and Khuzaima Tanveer, who chipped in with a wicket each, while skipper Sunil Narine added two scalps for just 14 runs.

Chasing a modest target, the Strikers’ opening pair made quick work of the total. Kusal Perera powered his side to victory with a scintillating 56* off 26 balls, smashing four sixes and six boundaries. Partner Evin Lewis contributed a steady 17* off 12 deliveries as the duo wrapped up the chase in just 6.2 overs.

All eyes are on Team AD captain and opening batsman Phil Salt who would be very upset about this big loss. Perhaps this will be a bag of mixed emotions for him as the news of being picked up by IPL team Royal Challengers Bangalore put some impactful amount of pressure to perform well. He will probably be having words with the team about their poor showing along with his reflection upon his personal performance, being dismissed for no run and being unable to lead from the front on this occassion.

The New York Strikers were put to the test by two-time champions Deccan Gladiators on Sunday at Abu Dhabi’s T10 fixture. Despite a challenging target, Head Coach Carl Crowe lauded his team’s resilience and highlighted their ability to adapt quickly in the fast-paced nature of the tournament.

The Gladiators posted a commanding total of 128/3 in their allotted 10 overs, driven by an explosive 61 from Rilee Rossouw off 24 balls and a quick-fire 19 not out from Jos Buttler off just 7 deliveries. While the target proved difficult, the Strikers’ bowling unit, particularly star talent Matheesha Pathirana, demonstrated notable skill and composure in the closing stages of the innings.

Head Coach Carl Crowe expressed his satisfaction with the Strikers’ performance, particularly in the closing overs: “I’m really pleased with the character our boys showed in the last 4-5 overs. They bowled really well and managed to contain what could have been an even more challenging target. Matheesha was outstanding, and that’s probably one of our biggest positives from the game.”

Reflecting on the match dynamics, Head Coach Carl Crowe also acknowledged the conditions and the pitch which gave Deccan Gladiators their advantage, “The conditions and the pitch actually played pretty well tonight. When it’s their day, it’s very difficult to contain them, especially with the depth in their batting lineup.”

Looking ahead to the Strikers’ next fixture, Head Coach Carl Crowe noted the quick turnaround and emphasized the team’s focus on improvement “The great thing about this tournament is the games come thick and fast. We’ll review and be honest with ourselves, but there’s no time to dwell. We’re going to look at the lineup, work out exactly the right formation, and come back really strong in our next game.”

The New York Strikers will face Team Abu Dhabi in their next fixture today, looking to bounce back with a strong performance. After a competitive outing against the Deccan Gladiators, Head Coach Carl Crowe is confident that the team’s resilience and focus will guide them in their quest for victory in the fast-paced Abu Dhabi T10 tournament.

Defending champions New York Strikers have kicked off their Abu Dhabi T10 campaign with high-intensity training sessions, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to retaining the coveted trophy. The team’s preparation began with a core group of players taking to the field, with more stars set to join in the coming days.

The Strikers’ coaching duo of Head Coach Carl Crowe and Assistant Coach Albie Morkel expressed confidence in their reinforced squad, which combines returning champions with exciting new additions. The team’s strengthened bowling lineup, featuring international stars like Reece Topley and Mohammad Amir, alongside a powerful batting order, positions them as strong contenders for back-to-back titles.

Speaking about the first training session and the squad composition, Head Coach Carl Crowe said, “We’ve got some guys who have been here the last couple of years, so it’s nice to keep the core of the group together. We’ve made some exciting new additions as well. A lot of our players have been performing excellently around the world – Evin Lewis was very well for the West Indies, and Reece Topley is a fantastic bowler. We’re really pleased with the additions while maintaining what worked well for us last year.”

Assistant Coach Albie Morkel, overseeing the bowling department, added, “We’ve got a fantastic bowling lineup, and I’m very excited to see if we can fit all those guys in the same team. With Mohammad Amir and Reece Topley now joining our spinning attack, we’ve got a serious attack. Despite the pressure of being defending champions, with the personnel we have in the squad, there’s no reason why we can’t put up a good show again.”

West Indies legend Kieron Pollard another important member of the New York Strikers squad also joined in emphasizing on the importance of team attitude and smart cricket, he shared, “We want to play an exciting brand of cricket. I especially want to see unity in the field – that’s where you see the true testament of a team. If we can maintain high energy and excitement for those 45 minutes, coupled with smart cricket, that will help us achieve our goals.”

The initial training session focused on individual player requirements, allowing new arrivals to acclimate and shake off jet lag. The coaching staff plans to intensify specific skill-based training in subsequent sessions for all members of the New York Strikers squad.

The New York Strikers begin their title defense in two days, carrying the weight of expectation but armed with a formidable combination of experience and fresh talent.