What
Abu Dhabi T10 final
When and where?
Sunday, 8pm, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Maratha Arabians v Deccan Gladiators
Dwayne Bravo, the captain, termed his team the “most dominant” in this year’s T10, after they were the first through to the final.
It is difficult to argue. They topped the group, then eased through to the final – albeit with a little discomfort in the final over – in their qualifier play-off against Qalandars.
And in Chris Lynn, they have the outstanding player of the tournament. The Australian opener has made four scores in excess of 60 in his past five innings, and has one more shot at that elusive hundred.
In addition to that, they have a canny, experienced bowling attack led by multiple IPL winning duo Bravo and Lasith Malinga, as well as the uncapped UAE revelation Shiraz Ahmed.
All of which makes the Arabians best placed to win the title – but this is a 10-over game, after all, and Deccan Gladiators are not exactly short of firepower themselves.
Mohammed Shahzad, Shane Watson and Kieron Pollard could all be matchwinners with the bat, while Ben Cutting was a valuable last-line of defence in the last-chance eliminator against Qalandars on Saturday night.
Prediction: Maratha Arabians to win
What
Bronze match
When
Sunday, 5.45pm
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Hassan Khalid bowls during the training session held at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National -
Aaqib Javed (left), coach of Qalandars. Pawan Singh / The National -
Hassan Khalid. -
Hassan Khalid, right, trains with Qalandars. Pawan Singh / The National -
Sultan Ahmed bowls. Pawan Singh / The National -
Sultan Ahmed. Pawan Singh / The National -
Qalandars coach Aqib Javed, left. Pawan Singh / The National -
Qalandars coach Aqib Javed. Pawan Singh / The National -
Qalandars coach Aqib Javed. Pawan Singh / The National -
New call-up Dawid Malan. Pawan Singh / The National -
Batsman Dawid Malan. Pawan Singh / The National -
Sultan Ahmed . Pawan Singh / The National
Qalandars v Bangla Tigers
If the Qalandars do cling on to take third place, it would be a fine achievement. They have faced myriad issues.
A whole team's worth of Pakistani talent withdrawn in the lead up. All of their star players – Tom Banton, Luke Ronchi, Chris Jordan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman – unavailable at points during the competition.
And yet, they were still two hits away from making it to the final.
It seems unlikely to think they will rush the likes of Banton back from injury just for a bronze medal match, which means Bangla Tigers should be optimistic of their chances.
Andre Fletcher is their most likely source of runs. If he stays at the crease for any significant amount of time, it will be difficult for Qalandars.
Prediction: Bangla Tigers to win
