Event
New York Strikers crowned new champions of Abu Dhabi T10
New York Strikers wiped away the pain of last edition’s loss to Deccan Gladiators in the final and crowned themselves as the new champions of the Abu Dhabi T10 in the seventh edition at the Zayed Cricket Stadium by recording a seven-wicket win.
Pakistan’s Asif Ali, known for his power-hitting skills, and skipper Kieron Pollard, put on an unbeaten 56 runs partnership for the fourth wicket in 29 balls. Ali remained unbeaten on 48 off 25 balls with four sixes and two boundaries while Pollard scored an unconquered 21 off 13 balls with one boundary and a six to win the final with four balls to spare. They thus lifted the trophy and received the prize money of $100,000.
It was a creditable show from New York Strikers that had become part of the Abu Dhabi T10 only in the last edition and have reached the final in both the editions and now won the title too.
Gladiators, who were hoping to record a hat-trick of title triumphs having won the earlier two editions, received the runners-up prize money of $50,000. Their plans to post a big total was squashed by Sunil Narine who bagged two wickets for six runs from his two overs and restricted Deccan Gladiators to 91 for 5. It was the same total that New York Strikers were restricted to in the last edition’s final that Gladiators won by 37 runs.
Brief scores:
New York Strikers bt Deccan Gladiators by 7 wkts. Deccan Gladiators 91 for 5 in 10 overs (Andre Russell 30, David Wiese 20n.o. Sunil Narine 2 for 6) New York Strikers 94 for 3 in 9.2 overs (Asif Ali 48n.o, Kieron Pollard 22n.o)
Player of the Match: Asif Ali
Player of the Tournament: Akeal Hosein
Bowler of the Tournament: Akeal Hosein
Batter of the Tournament: Tom Kohler-Cadmore
UAE Player of the Tournament: Mohammad Jawadulah
Tale of the final battle for supremacy
The tale of the final unfolded with New York skipper Pollard winning the toss and electing to bowl. Gladiators’ heavy scorer and aggressive batter Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who has often hit the first ball of the innings to a boundary, did that to Mohammad Amir steering him past point. He also hit the second delivery through deep cover for another boundary. Twelve runs came off the first over.
Muhammad Jawadullah, who bowled the second over too found his first ball race to the boundary. The author of that shot was skipper Nicholas Pooran who elegantly picked the gap between gully and short third man. Pooran also hit Jawadullah’s fifth delivery over gully to pick another boundary. The last ball of the over too went for a boundary over backward point. Twenty-four runs were scored in the first two overs.
Sunil Narine, hailed as a mystery spinner, struck to end the innings of Kohler-Cadmore on unlucky 13 with a ball that turned and hit the middle stump. Worse was to follow. In the third over England’s right arm pacer George Scrimshaw got Pooran out caught by Narine at extra cover for 15.
Andre Russell joined Andre Fletcher, a pair that is capable of tearing apart any attack. However, their partnership lasted only eight runs. Narine sturck again with the fourth ball of his second over forcing Fletcher to pull into the hands of Odean Smith for 5. By the half way mark, Deccan Gladiators were struggling at 37 for 3.
Imad Wasim and Russell tried hard to pull their team to a strong total. But Jawadullah strangled the runs with his accurate five deliveries and removed Wasim with the last ball of that over for 3. Asif Ali at extra cover pulled off a stunning catch diving to his right and produced a one-handed catch.
Scrimshaw was re-introduced for the seventh over and Russell hit the second six of the innings over mid-wicket off his second delivery. He also pulled him for another six over deep square leg. With only three more overs to go, Gladiators’ score read an unimpressive 57 for 4.
Akeal Hosein, who produced a hat-trick in Qualifier 1 against Samp Army, struck with the first ball of the eighth over to get Fabian Allen caught at deep mid-wicket by Asif Ali for 1. He also gave away just six runs only in that over. Half the side was back in the dug-out for 63.
Russell fought a lonely battle and finally top edged Amir’s first ball of the ninth over the wicketkeeper for a boundary. David Wiese pulled Amir’s fifth ball for a six and the last ball for a boundary.
Wiese hit Hosein, who bowled the last over, was hit for a six off the second delivery. But that is the only big hit that came of that over. The pair had put on an unbeaten 34 runs in 17 balls for the sixth wicket. Russell remained unbeaten on 30 off 18 balls with two boundaries and two sixes and Wiese unconquered on 20 off 11 balls with two sixes and a boundary for a total of nine runs short of the 100 run mark.
Asif and Pollard’s stubborn batting show
The chase began with Trent Bout bowling at full pace to New York openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Muhammad Waseem. With the fifth ball, he trapped Waseem on 6, leg before with a ball that nipped back. Nuwan Tushara too produced a beauty to clean bowl Rahmanullah Gurbaz for 1. The ball went through his defense to hit the wicket.
Asif Ali joined Niroshan Dickwella and flicked the first ball he faced for a boundary to fine leg. The crowd whistled for the batters but Boult who bowled the third over gave away only one boundary to Dickwella. In the fourth over, Asif Ali gave the crowd what they wanted. He hit Imad Wasim for two sixes off the third and fifth ball both to deep mid-wicket.
Russell struck in the fifth over by removing Dickwella caught by Khawaja Nafay at mid-on for 14. At the half-way mark, New York needed 50 runs off the remaining five overs. Asif Ali hit Waqar Salamkheil’s first delivery for a boundary. Pollard smashed Waqar for a six over mid-wicket to make it anybody’s game.
Asif also hit Thushara for a six off the first ball of the seventh over to long off. Pollard and Asif also ran for quick runs and took 14 runs off Thushara’s over to turn the target into a gettable 25 for 18 balls.
UAE’s Zahoor Khan was introduced for the eighth over and Asif hit Zahoor’s fifth delivery for a six and made it 14 runs from 12 deliveries. Pollard cracked a boundary off Russell’s third delivery of the ninth over to make it five runs off the last over. The pair put on a 50 runs partnership off the first ball of the last over from Zahoor to take the trophy away from Gladiators.
Season 3 of the DP World International League T20 will begin from Saturday, 11 January 2025. The 34-match tournament will run for a month with the final to be played on Sunday, 9 February 2025.
The Season 3 window announcement comes at the back of a hugely successful Season 2 (2024) which concluded with the MI Emirates lifting the iconic DP World ILT20 trophy in front of a capacity crowd at the Dubai International Stadium in the final played on 17 February 2024.
The broadcast numbers for Season 2 received a major boost with a total of 348 million unique viewers from around the world via the tournament broadcast rights holders Zee Network’s linear and online platforms and their broadcast syndication partners in different territories.
Season 2 also saw a major increase in crowds across the three tournament venues Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. There was a phenomenal increase in crowd numbers across the three venues, with a cumulative increase of nearly 300% in comparison to Season 1.
Season 3 will once again provide the spectators at the three stadiums and fans from around the world – on linear and online Zee Network’s broadcast platforms and partners platforms’ – enthralling cricket action with a line-up of world-class T20 talent and exciting entertainment offerings for fans from all age groups.
DP World ILT20 CEO David White: “We are delighted to confirm the window for DP World International League T20 Season 3. The window has been finalised after discussions with our stakeholders. We have begun our preparations for Season 3 with an aim of making the league even bigger and better.
“Season 2 was a massive success in terms of all relevant metrics’ and helped further strengthen the league’s reputation, making it one of the most sought after T20 leagues for players, fans and broadcasters from around the world. Having considered all aspects, the January-February window for Season 3 has turned out to be the most suitable.
“The DP World ILT20 is also proving to be a successful platform for the development of the UAE players as seen in their recent outstanding performance in the ACC Premier Cup in Oman which helped them qualify for the prestigious Asia Cup (2025, T20 format) for the first time in eight years. Most of the players who excelled in Oman had gained invaluable experience and exposure in Season 2.
“The cricket fans in the UAE and those who travel to our wonderful destinations Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah from across the globe will have a lot to look forward to in Season 3. We have a series of exciting announcements lined-up as our six world-class franchises and their coaching staff put their heads together for retention of players while eyeing new local and international talent for Season 3 signings.”
In a landmark agreement unveiled at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) exhibition held at the Dubai World Trade Centre, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Regional Office Asia and Shabab Al Ahli Dubai have officially announced their partnership to host the highly anticipated Basketball Champions League Asia 2024. The ceremonial signing, attended by Mr. Hagop Khajirian, FIBA Executive Director Asia, and Majid Sultan, Executive Director of Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, marks a significant milestone in the world of basketball. Also present was Mr. Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, emphasizing the strategic importance of this collaboration. This partnership sets the stage for an electrifying championship experience, showcasing the dynamic fusion of sport and culture in Dubai.
Last week, FIBA Regional Office Asia awarded the hosting rights of the inaugural Basketball Champions League Asia to the city of Dubai, underscoring its status as a premier destination for sporting events of international acclaim.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the upcoming tournament, Mr. Khajirian stated, “This club competition in Asia boasts a rich history and tradition, yet this year’s edition holds special significance as it marks the debut of the rebranded Basketball Champions League Asia. It represents another strategic milestone in fulfilling FIBA’s objective of reshaping the landscape of international club competitions.“
I am thrilled and eagerly anticipating the tip-off in Dubai. For this, I want to extend my gratitude to Shabab Al Ahli Dubai and the UAE Basketball Association for their support and facilitation in organizing this inaugural edition in Dubai, he added.
“We at Shabab Al-Ahli Club are delighted to host the inaugural edition of the Basketball Champions League Asia. The trust bestowed upon us by FIBA Regional Office Asia underscores Dubai’s stature as a premier destination for athletes and sporting events. With our outstanding infrastructure and talented team, we embrace the challenge and pledge to deliver an extraordinary edition.” said Mr. Sultan.
“I want to thank the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai for their invaluable cooperation and support in unveiling the BCL Asia 2024 hosting agreement contract signing at the Arabian Travel Market. This partnership not only captures the spotlight among attendees, exhibitors, and media but also underscores the synergy between event organizers and the host city, amplifying anticipation for the upcoming tournament and nurturing industry bonds. We appreciate the Department’s ongoing assistance in ensuring the success of the event, he added.
Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said: “Our commitment to bringing world-class international sporting events to Dubai aligns with the strategic goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure. Sport is a central pillar in our tourism and events ecosystem, and the Basketball Champions League Asia 2024, which further strengthens Dubai’s year-round international sports calendar, is set to attract spectators from around the world, as well as appealing to basketball fans among our resident population. As Dubai looks forward to hosting this championship for the first time, we are confident it will be a resounding success, delivering an exceptional experience to players and spectators alike, and further highlighting Dubai’s position as an international events destination.”
Slated to be played from 9 to 15 June, the inaugural edition of Asia’s top-tier club competition will feature 8 champion clubs from 8 Asian countries. Two of these eight teams, Pelita Jaya Basketball (Indonesia) and NS Matrix Deers (Malaysia), have already secured their spots through the recently concluded BCL Asia Qualifiers. Two additional spots will be secured by the finalists of the FIBA West Asia Super League (WASL) Final 8.
UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organisation, returns to Abu Dhabi for an action-packed fight as No. 2 ranked bantamweight Cory Sandhagen faces No. 9 ranked Umar Nurmagomedov on August 3.
Tickets for the event, to be held in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), go on sale on Tuesday via etihadarena.ae and ticketmaster.ae.
Sandhagen (17-4, fighting out of Aurora, Colorado) returns to the UAE capital to cement his status as top contender in the bantamweight division. The Colorado native boasts wins over Rob Font, Chito Vera, and soon-to-be UFC Hall of Famer Frankie Edgar. He now hopes for a convincing win over rising star Nurmagomedov to make his case for a title shot.
Nurmagomedov (17-0, fighting out of Chelyabinsk, Russia) looks to put the division on notice by taking out a top-ranked opponent and making his first Octagon appearance in Abu Dhabi.
Nurmagomedov made his mark in the division after delivering dominant performances over Raoni Barcelos, Brian Kelleher and Sergey Morozov. Now, he sets his sights on securing the biggest win of his career by getting his hand raised against Sandhagen.
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