SHARJAH: His unbeaten 43 enabled the Warriors to rout defending champions Knights
With 225 runs, Andre Fletcher, of Pakhtoons, currently rules the roost among batsmen in the T10 League.
But not very far behind is another West Indian by the name of Nicholas Pooran. He doesn’t come across as an intimidating batsman — like a Chris Gayle or an Andre Russell, but the 23-year-old from Couva in Trinidad and Tobago has produced 213 runs from five matches for Northern Warriors, making him the latest sensation at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
On Thursday, his unbeaten 43 enabled the Warriors to rout defending champions Kerala Knights by eight wickets.
Speaking after the match, the wicket-keeper batsman said since he didn’t get enough opportunities last year, he is making the most of it this year.
“I’ve been opening the batting so I get more time in the middle. I’m just happy now that I can perform for my team.”
The Warriors began their campaign with a defeat to Bengal Tigers but after that they have not looked back and it’s primarily due to Pooran’s form. In four of the matches the Warriors won, Pooran bagged the Man of the Match award on three occasions.
“I feel when things are going your way you need to capitalise and that’s what I’m doing. I’m happy that I’ve been consistent.”
Pooran said this format forces batsmen to play different shots. “The game is changing every day. Batsmen are not afraid to try different things. It’s just become tougher and tougher for the bowlers. I’m happy I’m not a bowler. But there is Wahab (Riaz) who did excellently well for us last year and this year. Also today (Thursday) our bowlers bowled well against the Kerala Knights, credit to them.”
Warriors’ top four batsmen are from the West Indies and they have been on a roll, barely giving the lower order a chance to get the feel of the wicket. “This is West Indies culture. We just like to enjoy our cricket. We love T20 and now with T10 it really feels at home.”