Abu Dhabi T10 League – Eoin Morgan and Kieron Pollard on fire as New York strikers take five wins on trot

As far as making a statement, two wins in less than 24 hours is a way of doing business, and that’s exactly what New York Strikers did in Abu Dhabi T10.

In Game 1 of Thursday’s triple-header game, which required 22 in the final game, Pollard stepped up and hit Dwyane Bravo for two sixes and then two. Four points, another victory. Morgan probably did it on the last ball. Pollard made sure there wasn’t that drama, and did it with the two of them.

In fact, the 113-point goal shouldn’t pose a serious challenge, especially as the striker chased to 144 on day two for the tournament’s highest total so far.

After winning pitches, Tom Banton went 46-for-23 to get the Bulls to triple figures in a game in which Rashid Khan made his long-awaited debut with the forwards without a pick. Under the wicket, his class was outstanding.

Morgan’s heroics the night before meant the striker chose the experienced him and Paul Sterling to open. It’s a strange sight for a man who was considered one of the greatest finishers in his prime, but this is T10 and anything goes. The former England captain ran again but failed to accelerate and when he was sent off with 32, his side were still in contention, needing 40 of 15 points.

Go ahead Azam Khan and Pollard. The penultimate bout of floating power went 16 times and came down to a heavyweight match between Pollard and Bravo and a fight between two men who know each other very well.

Bravo’s first pass was slow, Pollard hit the first punch, and when Bravo’s second ball also hit long range, the game was done. By now, Bravo had lost his cool, sending all of his tosses to the ropes before Pollard completed another boundary.

It was a knockout game, and despite his team’s poor form, there were celebrations with clenched fists and a welcome knock on the captain’s door after a poor performance in the game. Pollard has scored just once in three innings since scoring 45* in the opening defeat, but Thursday night’s game in Abu Dhabi was a reminder of his ruthless finishing ability, And why he is still feared by bowlers around the world. A knack for hitting sixes at will is what sets him apart, and if he continues over the next few days, there’s a good chance the striker will hit gold on the first call.

Friday night’s final group game between Strikers and Abu Dhabi will be a clash between two teams that only gets better and better as the game goes on, should the two teams finish in the final It shouldn’t be a surprise to see them again over the weekend.