Abu Dhabi T10: Communication is Key, Deccan Gladiators’ Coach Mushtaq Reflects on Record Third Title Win

Abu Dhabi, Dec 3 (NationPress) Mushtaq Ahmed, the head coach of Deccan Gladiators, has pointed out that effective communication with players is the essential factor contributing to his team's triumph after they clinched a historic third title in the Abu Dhabi T10.

In the final match held on Monday at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Mushtaq's squad decisively defeated Morrisville Samp Army by eight wickets in a thrilling encounter that kept the audience entertained. Chasing a target of 105, the Gladiators showcased their batting prowess, successfully reaching the target with 8 wickets in hand and more than three overs to spare.

Mushtaq Ahmed, head coach of the Deccan Gladiators, shared insights on the winning strategy of his three-time champion team.

“My team and I played the role of effective communicators. You can’t teach anyone in just ten days, but you can bolster their mental strength and ensure they enjoy playing for their team,” Mushtaq stated after the victory.

“The unsung heroes working behind the scenes often don’t receive the recognition they deserve. If a player is injured or not in the right frame of mind a day prior to the match, swift communication is crucial to get them back on track. This is what really counts in a short tournament like this,” he elaborated.

The Gladiators made a strong start as their opener, Tom Kohler-Cadmore from England, aggressively attacked Samp Army's captain Rohan Mustafa right from the first over. Cadmore struck four consecutive fours to kick off the chase, with his opening partner Nicholas Pooran quickly joining the action.

Pooran, the West Indies wicketkeeper-batter, dominated Pakistan spinner Imad Wasim, helping the Gladiators rack up 20 runs in the third over, surpassing the 50-run mark. The left-handed batter was eventually dismissed for 28 off 10 balls by pacer Isuru Udana after Mustafa took a stunning catch in the deep. However, this setback did not hinder Cadmore, who continued his aggressive onslaught and reached a fifty.

Earlier, Morrisville Samp Army struggled to find their rhythm, losing wickets regularly and falling to 81/5. A late push from Afghanistan's Karim Janat, who scored 16 off 8 in the closing stages, lifted their total to 104/7 in 10 overs. Faf du Plessis was the top scorer with 34 off 23, while wicketkeeper batter Andries Gous contributed 21 off 9. Richard Gleeson from England had impressive bowling figures of 2/16 in two overs for Deccan Gladiators.

The captain of the runners-up, Rohan Mustafa, recognized the collective effort of his team and shared his thoughts on the outcome.

“In T10, a strong start and a competitive score are vital for victory. We must acknowledge that we faced a very formidable team. When we entered the tournament, we didn’t anticipate reaching the final. Overall, we performed well and played cohesively as a unit,” he remarked.

This marks the third title victory for the Gladiators in the Abu Dhabi T10, having previously won the tournament in the fifth and sixth seasons. Star batter Jos Buttler was named Player of the Tournament, scoring a total of 242 runs with a strike rate of 224.07.

Richard Gleeson received the Bowler of the Tournament award, while Tom Kohler-Cadmore was honored with the Batter of the Tournament title. Shahid Bhutta, who claimed 10 wickets at an economy of 10.93, was recognized as the UAE Player of the Tournament.