T10 cricket is fast, entertaining, and fresh. Actually, it is the fastest, the most entertaining, and the newest format of cricket. And come The Abu Dhabi T10, which is the premier tournament of the world’s fastest cricket format, we are in for a spectacle.
Although T10 is, like every cricket format, a battle between the bat and ball, there are a number of distinct features that set T10 apart from T20, ODIs, and Tests.
For the unacquainted, here is a quick guide to understanding the T10 cricket rules how the fastest format of game is played.
10-overs-a-side
Each team can bowl a maximum of 10 overs, which results in batsmen attacking right from the first ball. T10 gives very little time for batsmen to settle down and demands new strategies, and an aggressive approach in order to get a decent total on the scoreboard, thus adding to the thrill and excitement.
Each team must complete their quota of 10 overs in 45 minutes.
Two overs per bowler
No bowler can bowl more than two overs in an innings. This gives bowlers little room for error and less time for variations or set the batsmen up. But it also means batsmen get fewer opportunities to attack a specific bowler and score runs, resulting in a fair fight between the batting and bowling sides.
Minimum overs
If it were to rain or in case of any interruptions that should curtail the match time, the result can still be decided provided each side can play 5 overs each.
Powerplay for 3 overs
Field restrictions are implemented to make the game more interesting by giving batsmen a chance to unleash their muscles at the start of the game. For the first two overs, the bowling side can only deploy two fielders outside the 30-yard circle.
Additionally, at the discretion of the batsmen at the crease, another powerplay — called the floating powerplay — can be taken at any time from the third to the ninth over.
In non-powerplay overs, up to five fielders can be deployed outside the 30-yard circle.
Super Over
In case of a tie in a playoffs match – Qualifier and Eliminator – and the Final, there will be a Super Over to break the deadlock. Each team will get one over to score as many runs, with two wickets in hand. The team which scores the maximum runs in their allotted six balls wins the match.
In case the Super Over in a playoffs match ends in a tie, the team that is placed higher in the group stages is declared the winner. However, it’s different for the Final, where Super Overs will continue until a winner emerges.
