The inaugural Abu Dhabi T20 is set to start on October 4, spanning three days. The T20 tournament will pit six international club sides against each other with the finals being played on October 6
The inaugural Abu Dhabi T20 is set to start on October 4, spanning three days. The T20 tournament will pit six club sides from around the world against each other with the finals being played on October 6.
England, South Africa, Australia, Pakistan and Afghanistan are five of the six named countries that will be represented by Yorkshire Vikings, Multiply Titans, Hobart Hurricanes, Lahore Qalandars and Boost Defenders respectively.
The final unnamed side is yet to be announced. The six sides will be split into two pools of three, with each side playing in the pool playing each other. The winners of each pool will then meet in a straight final on Saturday, October 6. Abu Dhabi Cricket (ADC), with the support of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC), have combined to ensure the first ever UAE-based T20 tournament of its kind.
The star-studded line-up of teams will compete the at the Zayed Cricket Stadium over the course of three days. The tournament will feature several stars of the T20 arena, including Yasir Shah (Lahore Qalandars), Farhaan Behardien (Multiply Titans) and Tymal Mills (Hobart Hurricanes).
ADSC general secretary, His Excellency Aref Al Awani, spoke of his delight over the tournament saying: “Make no mistake, this is a dynamic field of the best of the best. With this level of player power, the tournament allows Abu Dhabi to deliver on our mandate of ushering in an exciting new era of cricket in the emirate.”
Yorkshire director of cricket Martyn Moxon was effusive at the prospect of the tournament: “It’s tremendous that we’ve been asked to take part in this. With all 18 first-class counties available, for us to be asked is a feather in our cap.
“It gives us the opportunity to pit our wits against some of the best players in the world. It’s similar to the Champions League back in 2012, so we’re all really looking forward to it.
“The way cricket is going, for us to be involved in tournaments such as this, with our future in mind, is very promising.”
With the ADT20 set to garner plenty of attention and coverage, ADC plans to hold the event until 2020 with strategies set to enhance the tournament further. We look at the teams and players to watch in this unique tournament.
The Zayed Cricket Stadium hosts the Abu Dhabi T20
The ADT20 Trophy provides the first opportunity for Boost Defenders to showcase their talents in world cricket. Competing in the Afghan Shpageeza Cricket League, the Defenders finished in fourth place (out of six), but were comfortably undone in their eliminator, losing by five wickets to Kabul Eagles.
One to watch: Mujeeb Ur Rahman - One of a cluster of talented young spinners to come out of Afghanistan in recent years. Mujeeb's mystery with the ball makes him a terrifying prospect to face. At the age of just 17 he has already made his Test, ODI and IT20 debuts and in the shortest form currently boasts 37 wickets at an average of 24.18, with an economy rate of 6.59.
While Yorkshire have an illustrious history when it comes to red-ball cricket (their 33 County Championship titles, including one shared, put them 14 clear of next-best Surrey), success in English T20 has been far harder to come by.
Their only appearance in the final was a loss to Hampshire in 2012. They just missed out on this summer’s Vitality Blast quarter-finals. They will be keen therefore to taste glory in this tournament.
One to watch: Adam Lyth - Lyth has been superb in white-ball cricket over the last few years. The standout innings was his 161 off only 73 balls against Northamptonshire in 2017. That was only 14 shy of Gayle’s world-record 175. He has also hit 11 fifties and 72 sixes. He found form this summer in the last two Vitality Blast games, making 66 against Northants and 44 against Notts. His occasional off-spin might also be handy.
Multiply Titans have enjoyed plenty of success in the Ram Slam T20 Challenge. The most successful side in the history of the competition, they made it four titles in December 2017 by comprehensively beating the Hollywoodbets Dolphins by seven wickets in the final.
One to watch: Albie Morkel - The allrounder may now be a veteran at 37, but his game has been tailor-made for T20. The South African is a fearsome striker of the ball who has played 50 T20Is. His strike-rate in those games has been an impressive 142.28. In T20s overall he has smashed 236 sixes, nearly as many as his fours (254). His handy right-arm seamers have seen him take 26 T20I wickets, and 245 in the format overall.
Adam Lyth is among the men to watch in the tournament
The Hurricanes will be arriving at the Abu Dhabi T20 after a strong showing in the 2017/18 BBL.
The perennially under-rated Hurricanes lost by 25 runs to Adelaide Strikers in the final. They also missed out in the final in the 2013/14 edition of the popular tournament.
One to watch: Tymal Mills - The rapid seamer is a regular feature in T20 tournaments around the world. A back injury has limited Mills' career to the shortest format but it has not put a cap on his speed. Keep your eye out for fizzing yorkers and intelligent death bowling, the likes of which have helped the England international to a century of T20 wickets. He will come into the Abu Dhabi campaign off the back of a T20 Blast Finals Day appearance with Sussex Sharks.
The PSL outfit have struggled in their domestic competition since its inception in 2016, with an overall win rate of just 31 per cent and fi nishes of fi fth, fi fth and sixth. However with some shrewd acquisitions, they may be able to make their experience in familiar conditions count against the visiting sides.
One to watch: Yasir Shah - The legspinner, a veteran of 28 Tests, 19 one-day internationals and two T20Is for Pakistan - adds guile and craft to the Lahore bowling attack with his useful variations. With a T20 average of 28.48, and a stifling career economy of 6.77, he is an important tool in the Qalandars' chest as they look to claim victory in the inaugural Abu Dhabi T20.
The Cricketer picks out a handful of the most prominent local attractions for fans visiting Abu Dhabi for the tournament
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque - The largest mosque in the country. Covering over 30 acres, it can hold up to 41,000 visitors during Eid
Yas Island - A multi-purpose leisure and entertainment complex, including Ferrari World and Warner Bros World
Desert Safari - The Rub’ al Khali desert covers over 250,000km2 and is a great place to explore at any time of day. Camel safaris, dune buggies or overnight camps all off er unique experiences
For more information visit abudhabit20.ae For information on travel packages email abudhabit20@sportagroup.com
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
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