Twenty five players from the recently concluded ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will be extending their stay in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the Abu Dhabi T10. Here is a look at all the big names that will make an appearance in the world’s only ICC sanctioned 10-over tournament.
Bangla Tigers
Afghanistan opener Hazratullah Zazai is an integral part of the Bangla Tigers. His knocks of 44 (30) against Scotland and 33 (27) against Namibia both came in winning causes, helping the team give a stiff fight for a top-two spot early on in the T20 World Cup.
West Indian player Andre Fletcher also features in the Bangla Tigers’ squad.
Deccan Gladiators
Deccan Gladiators have seven players who featured in the T20 World Cup – the most for an Abu Dhabi T10 team.
Explosive West Indian player Andre Russell is a part of this team. Though he has not been at his mercurial best recently, everyone knows the potential destruction he can cause with both bat and ball.
David Wiese, the Namibia player of South African nationality, England’s Tymal Mills and Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga, the leading wicket-taker in the T20 World Cup, will be looking to make a mark in this tournament.
Afghanistan’s Najibullah Zadran was a force to reckon with in the T20 World Cup. His 59 (34) against Scotland gave his team a chance to post a commanding win. His 73 (48) came against New Zealand, a team whose bowling attack has produced exceptional results.
Fellow Afghan player Hamid Hasan will also be donning the Deccan Gladiators’ jersey. He registered an impressive 3/9 against Namibia in a winning cause. Pakistan’s Asif Ali, who stole the game from under Afghanistan’s nose with a 25* (7) will also feature in this team.
Delhi Bulls
Pakistan’s Muhammed Hafeez, a capable middle-order batter who is also handy with the ball, is a part of the Delhi Bulls. He will be joined by English captain Eoin Morgan, who led his team to the semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
The team also includes English all-rounder Adil Rashid, who was particularly successful with the ball in the UAE and celebrated West Indian all-rounder and T20 veteran Dwayne Bravo. Post his retirement from international cricket after the T20 World Cup, this will be his first assignment, and he will don the captain’s role.
Afghanistan’s Gulbadin Naib and Rahmanullah Gurbaz will also be representing Delhi Bulls.
Northern Warriors
Two prominent English players are a part of this outfit – Chris Jordan and Moeen Ali. While Jordan’s 3/17 helped England seal an important win against Australia, Ali’s 7 wickets have helped England through the group stage of the T20 World Cup. However, his 51* (37) against New Zealand in the semifinal went in vain.
Team Abu Dhabi
England’s lower order all-rounder Liam Livingstone and Ireland’s Paul Stirling will represent Team Abu Dhabi.
The team also includes Universe Boss Chris Gayle, who can never be written off. Fans will also see Afghanistan’s Naveen-ul-Haq in Team Abu Dhabi’s dugout. This bowler picked an impressive 3/26 against Namibia to win the game for his national side.
The Chennai Braves
Afghanistan’s opener and batter Mohammed Shahzad will be playing for the Chennai Braves. He has registered an impressive 45 (33) against Namibia in a winning cause and has been a safe pair of hands behind the wickets throughout the tournament.
The team also has Curtis Campher, the star for Ireland in their Group A game against the Netherlands where he earned a thrilling hat-trick. His 4/26 turned the tide towards Ireland and gave the team a win.
The team will also feature Sri Lankan captain all-rounder Dasun Shanaka and middle-order batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa.
