Qatar: As the eighth edition of the Abu Dhabi T10 cricket league gears up for its grand kickoff on November 21, the stage is set for an enthralling season of action-packed cricket. With two new teams joining the fray and a host of international cricket stars taking on leadership roles, this year’s tournament promises to deliver excitement to fans worldwide. Captains and head coaches for all ten participating teams have been announced, further raising anticipation for the 12-day event.
Notable Captains and Coaches
- Nicholas Pooran (Deccan Gladiators):
The West Indies wicketkeeper-batter is set to lead the Deccan Gladiators for the third consecutive year. Under his captaincy, the Gladiators clinched the title in 2022 and reached the finals in 2023. Mushtaq Ahmed continues as the team’s head coach, maintaining stability in the coaching setup. - Kieron Pollard (New York Strikers):
The reigning champions, New York Strikers, are banking on the dynamic leadership of Kieron Pollard for the third year in a row. Pollard, alongside coach Carl Crowe, has been instrumental in the team’s dominance since its inception in 2022. - Rovman Powell (Delhi Bulls):
Powell, a powerhouse from the West Indies, returns to the Abu Dhabi T10 as the captain of the Delhi Bulls. Andy Flower, who previously coached the Bulls, replaces Chris Silverwood, adding valuable experience to the team’s management. - Shakib Al Hasan (Bangla Tigers):
The Bangladeshi all-rounder is back to lead the Bangla Tigers after a two-year hiatus. Shakib will be supported by Younis Khan, the former Pakistan captain, who continues as the team’s head coach. - Trent Boult (Northern Warriors):
In a significant leadership change, New Zealand pace spearhead Trent Boult takes over from Angelo Mathews as the captain of the Northern Warriors. The team will also see a new head coach, Dav Whatmore, adding a fresh perspective to their strategy. - Phil Salt (Team Abu Dhabi):
English batter Phil Salt steps into the captain’s role for Team Abu Dhabi, replacing Dwaine Pretorius. Former South African cricketer Mark Boucher joins the team as the new head coach. - Thisara Perera (Chennai Braves Jaguars):
The experienced Sri Lankan all-rounder Thisara Perera replaces Charith Asalanka as captain, while Chaminda Vaas takes over coaching responsibilities from Douglas Brown. - Rohan Mustafa (Morrisville Samp Army):
Pakistan’s Rohan Mustafa will lead the Morrisville Samp Army, supported by new head coach Lance Klusener. - Rahmanullah Gurbaz (UP Nawabs):
Making their debut in the Abu Dhabi T10, the UP Nawabs have appointed Afghan star Rahmanullah Gurbaz as captain. Former English cricketer Owais Shah has been brought in as the head coach. - Mohammad Nabi (Ajman Bolts):
Another debutant team, the Ajman Bolts, will be led by Afghanistan’s seasoned all-rounder Mohammad Nabi. Ottis Gibson, a renowned coach, will guide the Bolts.
Tournament Format and Schedule
The Abu Dhabi T10 follows a fast-paced round-robin format, with the top four teams advancing to the playoffs. The playoffs, consisting of qualifiers and eliminations, will take place on December 1, with the grand finale scheduled for December 2. The tournament’s curtain-raiser will see Team Abu Dhabi locking horns with the debutant Ajman Bolts, while the defending champions New York Strikers will begin their title defense against Morrisville Samp Army on November 22.
Excitement Builds with Star-Studded Lineups
With global cricketing icons and seasoned tacticians at the helm, the Abu Dhabi T10 promises a thrilling mix of big-hitting action, strategic brilliance, and nail-biting finishes. As the shortest format of the game continues to gain popularity, the league’s eighth edition is poised to elevate the standard of T10 cricket even further.
Fans around the world can look forward to witnessing cricketing legends and emerging talents battling it out in the fast-paced, adrenaline-filled competition.
