The match went right down to the wire, but Tim David couldnāt take the Bulls over the line, as they fell six runs short of the Gladiatorsā total. Thatās all from todayās coverage. It was a double-header on the opening day of Abu Dhabi T10 2025, but from tomorrow onwards, the action gets even more exciting with three games scheduled each day. For now, itās me, Deepak Prakash, signing off from this space along with Saptak Sanyal and Yogesh Kumar. Cheers!
Nicholas Pooran (Deccan Gladiators Captain):"It felt good to get a win. Losing toss was on the cards specially against Polly. The credit goes to TKC. Wiese also played a good innings and the mention should go to Stoinis as well.
I felt that we were a bit disciplined and in T10, you have to respect every opposition as a lot of quality players play the game. Ibrar and Ajay defended around 30 in the final two overs. TKC's innings was well backed-up by them."
Tom Kohler-Cadmore (POTM): "The pitch is always pretty good here, and having such a strong team gives you full licence to just go out there and swing. Iām just trying to get my rhythm back after a bit of time off, keeping things as basic as possible.
Iām working on adding the scoop as well, so it was nice to finally get one away tonight. Itās all about the basicsāworking on my swing and making sure my levers are as long as they can be. That little break really refreshed me. It gives you energy, and itās actually nice to feel genuinely excited to be back playing. I spent some quality time with the family, and it did me a world of good."
Player of the Match: Tom Kohler-Cadmore
Time for the post-match presentation......
Kieron Pollard (UAE Bulls Captain):"This is not the best start in terms of results, but the effort was good. I think we gave 15-20 runs more. It was a good game in general.
Happy to see the guys chipping in and contributing. It is not a long tournament but it is good when the players are contributing. The talk will not be huge. We have to do better in some areas and again I think 15-20 runs were too much.
To me it is great to get another opportunity to play the game. At this point it is all about enjoying my game and spend time with family and friends."
11:31 PM IST, 10:01 PM Local Time: Excellent bowling from Ajay Kumar under tremendous pressure, and he helped the Deccan Gladiators clinch a six-run victory. It looked like Tim David would take his side over the line, but the left-arm pacer kept his composure and delivered for his side with the ball.
Earlier, after being invited to bat first, Deccan Gladiators piled up a hefty 141/2 in 10 overs. They lost Nicholas Pooran for just 10, but Tom Kohler-Cadmore went honkers and bonkers from the outset, hammering an unbeaten 79 off 29 balls. David Wiese played a counter-attacking knock from the other end, contributing a 17-ball 35, while Marcus Stoinis (14*) smashed a hat-trick of boundaries to end the innings, helping the Gladiators cross the 140-run mark. Junaid Siddique and Salman Irshad picked up a wicket each for the Bulls, though the latter proved quite expensive. Their key bowler, Sunil Narine, was taken to the cleaners as he conceded 33 runs in his two overs.
UAE Bulls put up a spirited chase but eventually fell short, finishing on 135/5 in their 10 overs. Philip Saltās explosive 18 off 5 balls gave them a rapid start, but quick strikes from the Gladiators kept the pressure on. Rovman Powell (22 off 9) couldnāt kick on after getting a start, leaving the Bulls needing a big push in the latter half. Tim David rose to the occasion with a brilliant unbeaten 59 off 29 balls, striking nine fours and two sixes to keep his side alive right until the end. However, wickets at crucial moments ā including Pollard for 7 and Iftikhar for 9 ā meant David lacked consistent support at the other end. The Gladiatorsā bowlers held their nerve under pressure. Luke Wood was outstanding with 2/14 from his two overs, while Akeal Hosein, Lahiru Kumara, Ibrar Ahmad, and Ajay Kumar chipped in with a wicket each.