GurBOSS takes over Abu Dhabi T10 League
Mon 6 Dec 2021
With the Abu Dhabi T10 League ending at the weekend, it is a chance to reflect on the tantalising display of action produced by big hitters and smashing wicket takers alike in cricket’s shortest format. This is the final edition of the T10 Weekly Roundup.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz has had a blockbuster season where he dominated with the bat on multiple occasions for the Delhi Bulls. Gurbaz displayed multiple match winning performances as he picked up four player of the matches throughout the season, for his performances with the bat.
Individually, achieving the third most runs scored at 343 across 13 matches, the seventh best strike rate with 214.37 and the joint most fifties with three, Gurbaz was rewarded with the Abu Dhabi Season 5 Outstanding Batter of the tournament award.
The Foxes man also went on to record the most sixes in the competition, with 30 - alongside Liam Livignstone - so if you are after fireworks next season make sure you see the Running Foxes in action at the Uptonsteel County Ground and be prepared for a Heavy metal style of Cricket in the T20 Vitality Blast!
Even if it is not Gurbaz’ day with the bat, he cannot be kept out of the game evidently as he claimed Magic Moment of the Match in the second qualifier against Team Abu Dhabi, with the impressive catch of Danny Briggs.
Gurbaz’ excellence with the bat and gloves was not enough to get Delhi Bulls over the line, though, as Deccan Gladiators triumphed in the final by 56 runs.
Gurbaz has since flown to Sri Lanka to take part in the Lanka Premier League for Jaffna Kings.
Following the qualifier defeat to Gurbaz’ Bulls, Naveen’s Team Abu Dhabi went on to claim third place in the 2021 Abu Dhabi T10 League following a draw with Paul Nixon’s Bangla Tigers in the third place play-off clash.
Team Abu Dhabi claimed third spot on account of finishing in a higher position during the group stages.
Naveen won the Man of the Match award for his final over heroics after claiming two wickets and conceding just three runs.
The Afghanistan right-arm pace man finished with 10 wickets to his name, at an average of 21.20 and an economy of 11.77.
The Foxes man continued his impressive form after ending the 2020 T20 Vitality Blast as the competition’s highest wicket taker and delivered in the Middle East and has since followed fellow Fox, Gurbaz, to the Lanka Premier League with Colombo Stars.
Another Running Fox has also started their respective T20 campaign today, as Arron Lilley’s Clarion County Eagles began their US Open Cricket campaign in Florida.
Everyone at Leicestershire CCC would like to wish Arron, Naveen and Rahmanullah good luck in their respective upcoming T20 competitions.
