Former South African all-rounder Lance Klusener has underscored the importance of ball-by-ball focus as he prepares to lead the Arabian Aces in their debut season of the Abu Dhabi T10 League. Speaking on the sidelines of the competition, Klusener — now in his fifth season in the Abu Dhabi T10 circuit — said the unforgiving nature of the ten-over format leaves no room for dwelling on mistakes.

The T10 Mindset

'T10 is just about staying in every over, in every ball. As a bowler, you're going to go for runs. That's just what happens. But it's the very next ball that counts. Over 90% of the games go down to the last over, whether you're batting or bowling,' Klusener said.

He stressed that the margin for error in a 10-over format is razor-thin, with a single run saved or conceded potentially deciding the outcome. 'If you've managed to save a run here or save a run there, that makes a huge difference in the end. So it's just about making sure that you never really give up on an over or a delivery; you just got to make the next one count,' he added.

Arabian Aces Squad and Preparation

The Arabian Aces enter the competition with a high-profile roster that includes international names such as Moeen Ali, Andre Russell, and Liam Livingstone. Klusener acknowledged that star power alone does not guarantee results on the field, and his immediate focus is on ensuring every player is match-ready from day one.

'We've assembled a really nice, strong squad. But that doesn't necessarily guarantee results on the field. So it's just got to make sure that everybody gets what they need and all those players are in a space where they can perform on any given day,' he said. With most of the squad arriving fresh from competitive cricket, Klusener expects only a brief acclimatisation phase before the games begin.

Prior Relationships an Advantage

Klusener's existing working relationships with several members of the squad could prove a key advantage in a tournament that offers teams little time to settle. Having previously coached Moeen Ali and Liam Livingstone in the same T10 side, he believes the familiarity will help the new franchise hit the ground running.

'It's a new team, and it's always an exciting time. Hopefully, we can hit the ground running, because it is a short period — it's two weeks or 10 days for the competition. I know the players know me, most of them. So that's important in a short competition,' Klusener noted. This is the first season for the Arabian Aces as a franchise, making the challenge of establishing early rhythm all the more critical.

Klusener's T10 Track Record

Klusener brings substantial franchise experience to the role. He previously served as head coach of Morrisville Samp Army, guiding them to six wins in seven round-robin matches as the team comfortably advanced to the playoff rounds. He has also served as team director of the Bangla Tigers, giving him a comprehensive understanding of the tournament's demands.

Lessons Beyond T10

Beyond the immediate competition, Klusener believes the mental discipline developed in T10 translates directly to other formats. 'That's what T10 really teaches cricketers: that it's the very next ball that counts if you've gone for runs or you've gone for boundaries before that,' he explained. He specifically highlighted the value for younger players of learning to stay present and maximise every delivery — a habit, he said, that can be carried into T20 cricket and beyond.

With the Abu Dhabi T10 League kicking off on 26 October 2026, all eyes will be on whether Klusener can guide the Arabian Aces to a strong debut in this condensed and high-octane format.