Match 1, Abu Dhabi, November 23, 2022, 07:45 PM
Bangla Tigers
131/5(10.0ov)
New York Strikers
112/8(10.0ov)
Bangla Tigers beat New York Strikers by 19 runs
Man of the Match
Evin Lewis
Commentry
That is it then from this game. There is however one more game left on the opening day of the 2022 Abu Dhabi T10 as reigning champions Deccan Gladiators take on Team Abu Dhabi. You can catch all the action from that game by simply switching tabs. Cheers!
Evin Lewis (58 off 22 balls) is the Player of the Match. He says it is a really good wicket and once you start going you need to capitalize. Claims that it is really tough in the adapt in the shortest format of the game but they need to execute their plans. Adds that it is a really exciting format. Ends by saying that he wants to keep it simple and play freely.
The presentation ceremony...
Rohan Mustafa is down for a chat. He says it was a great performance to start the tournament as the batters did really well and put a good target on the board. He claims that it gave the bowlers confidence and they did the simple things well to get over the line. Adds that he is very happy as they fielded well and took their catches.
Earlier in the game, Kieron Pollard won the toss and elected to bowl first which seemed like the correct decision but a fiery half-century from Evin Lewis and a useful contribution by Colin Munro kept the Tigers afloat. Then, Shakib Al Hasan and Ben Cutting ended the innings on a high with a few lusty blows and ensured that the Tigers got to a good score. Ravi Rampaul was sensational with the ball for the Strikers and Wahab Riaz too got a couple of wickets. Needing a fast start, the Strikers took a bit of time to get going and the pressure just kept on mounting. This meant that they lost wickets regularly and never really looked likely to win the game.
Bangla Tigers were superb with the ball and it was the skipper, Shakib Al Hasan who led from the front with two crucial overs at the start, giving away just 7 runs. They did keep on picking up wickets at regular intervals and the likes of Rohan Mustafa and Matheesha Pathirana were pretty good as well. All in all, once the Tigers got ahead of the game, they simply never looked back and sealed a comfortable victory.
New York Strikers will think that if a couple of more batters had chipped in, they could have won the game. But it wasn't the case as apart from Azam Khan and skipper Kieron Pollard no one showed any intent. The skipper hammered a few lusty blows towards the fag end of the chase but his side fell well short. Paul Stirling struggled throughout the 13 deliveries that he faced and even the experienced Eoin Morgan wasn't able to stay on the crease for long. The Strikers will be disappointed but will look to take the positives from this game and come back stronger.
The experienced Bangla Tigers have been pretty clinical in the opening game of the tournament. A good score on the board and the ability to keep the required rate in check was the key for them as they handed the tournament debutants a thumping defeat.
In over# 10
0
1W
0
6
0
1b
Jake Ball 32/0(2)
9.6
.
DROPPED! Shakib Al Hasan has dropped a catch and left his counterpart unbeaten at the crease! It may not cost them in this game but would have given Jake Ball much-needed confidence. He serves a slower ball full and just outside off, Kieron Pollard goes hard at the ball but only manages to slice it high towards extra cover. Shakib Al Hasan settles under it but does not hold on and gives a sheepish smile. Bangla Tigers win this game by 19 runs, a massive margin in this format.
9.5
W
OUT! Another run out late in the game! Jake Ball bowls this on a good length and in line with the stumps, Kieron Pollard flicks this towards deep square leg and looks for a couple of runs. Wahab Riaz does not have the legs to complete the second as the throw from Evin Lewis is straight into the hands of Jake Ball who breaks the stumps. The replays confirm that Wahab Riaz is short and he makes the walk back to the shed.
9.4
.
Bowled on a yorker length and wide outside off, Kieron Pollard digs this out straight to backward point.
9.3
6
SIX! Kieron Pollard gets a hold of this one! Jake Ball bowls this short and wide outside off, Kieron Pollard gets across and pulls this towards deep square leg for a maximum.
9.2
.
Jake Ball bowls a slower delivery full and outside off, Kieron Pollard mistimes his shot to long on and refuses the single. 27 runs are needed in 4 balls and barring extras this should be the game.
9.1
1b
This is on a good length and outside off, Wahab Riaz swings and misses but Kieron Pollard takes off for a run. He gets on the other side and he will be on strike.
In over# 9
4
1W
6
4
2
1
Umair Ali 18/0(1)
8.6
4
FOUR! Strays onto the pads and that is not a good delivery! This is full and Kieron Pollard helps it along its way towards fine leg for four runs.
Wahab Riaz is the new man in.
8.5
W
OUT! RUN OUT! Akeal Hosein sacrifices his wicket to get Kieron Pollard on strike! Umair Ali bowls this full and on the pads, Kieron Pollard slips the ball to deep square leg and takes off for a couple of runs. Akeal Hosein is slow to respond but there is no double either ways. He goes for the brace nonetheless and is well short at the non-strikers end. Hazratullah Zazai is the fielder who collected the ball in the deep and Umair Ali whipped the bails off.