DG VS MSA FINAL

Right then, the Abu Dhabi T10 League 2024 has delivered yet another thrilling season, and as the fireworks light up the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, the Gladiators celebrate their richly deserved victory. Congratulations to the champions, and here’s to another incredible season next year! What a tournament! Hope you enjoyed our coverage as well. Until next time then, take care and goodbye!

It is that time of the tournament, the players and the coaching staff are eagerly waiting as Nicholas Pooran and the Deccan Gladiators' owner walk up to the Champions area and lift that glorious trophy for a third time in their history. The fireworks go off and the celebrations will continue late into the night for many.

Next up, a few more awards are given out as Delhi Bulls are handed the cheque for being the third-placed team after which Rohan Mustafa comes and collects the runners-up cheque on behalf of Morrisville Samp Army. Finally, it is Nicholas Pooran and the owner of Deccan Gladiators who comes up to the stage and collect the winner's cheque and that glittering Abu Dhabi T10 Trophy.

Jos Buttler is named the PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT for his 242 runs this season. He says it has been fantastic especially to be involved with a team of superstars for the first time in the T10 format and cap it off with a win. Adds that he has enjoyed playing with the freedom given by the franchise and he will look forward to the next season..

Moving on to the tournament awards and first up, the match officials are being presented with their mementos.

Richard Gleeson has been awarded the PLAYER OF THE MATCH AWARD for his fine bowling effort.

The presentation ceremony...

Aryan Lakra chimes in and says that it is hard to believe that he is there with a team filled with so many big names. Adds that there will be some celebrations but a lot of the guys will fly home before the night ends. Mentions that yet again the tournament has shown why it is one of the best in the world.

Luke Wood says it's been a great journey and despite not playing he has thoroughly enjoyed the tournament. Adds that their team have a lineup of stars and he got to learn so much from them which makes it okay to sit out. Talks about his role in the team and says that he was asked to bowl the first and third over and try and get breakthroughs up front in the games he played.

Marcus Stoinis aka 'The Hulk,' is now in for a chat as well. He says hats off to the franchise for putting together such a fantastic group of not just players but the coaching staff as well. Reckons it has been a dream run for them and when they have been challenged, they have responded to it. Mentions that the tournament is a wonderful one to play in and the level of the game is pretty amazing too.

Anrich Nortje is the first one down for a chat. He says it's a great feeling to win the title and the way the batting lineup has fired has been exceptional. Adds that it has been a great opportunity and he likes the competition which keeps the players on their toes throughout the course of the game.

Let's now hear from some of the players of the winning team Deccan Gladiators...

Earlier in the day, Morrisville Samp Army faltered with the bat, managing a below-par total of 104 runs. Despite a promising start from Faf du Plessis and Charith Asalanka, the team lost steam after their departures around the eighth over. In a final against the dominant Gladiators, the lack of a solid finish proved costly. The Gladiators’ bowlers rose to the occasion, led by the ever-reliable Richard Gleeson, who picked up two crucial wickets. Each of the other bowlers chipped in with a wicket, making it a collective effort. The fielding was just as sharp, with a highlight being Jos Buttler’s spectacular diving catch to dismiss Faf du Plessis, a moment that underlined the Gladiators' hunger to dominate.

The Samp Army skipper Rohan Mustafa took a bold decision to bowl the first over himself, but it backfired as he was smashed for four boundaries. That initial blow set the tone for the Gladiators’ chase, and the Samp Army bowlers never managed to recover. With this victory, the Deccan Gladiators reaffirm their dominance in the T10 format, proving why they are the team to beat. Their incredible performance in the league stages carried seamlessly into the playoffs and culminated in this dazzling finale.

The Gladiators’ chase was nothing short of breathtaking. Tom Kohler-Cadmore set the tone with an electric knock, and Nicholas Pooran added his signature flair, hammering three sixes in the opening three overs to leave the Samp Army shell-shocked. Reaching the team’s first fifty in just 2.4 overs, the Gladiators were relentless. Pooran’s dismissal didn’t slow them down as TKC took charge, smashing three massive sixes in Qais Ahmed’s over to notch a blistering Fifty off just 17 balls, ensuring the game was over before it could truly begin.

What a finale to remember! Deccan Gladiators have etched their name in the history books, clinching their third Abu Dhabi T10 League title in just five outings of the finale with an emphatic victory over Morrisville Samp Army. It was a masterclass in all three departments, as the Gladiators made a challenging final look like a one-sided affair, chasing down 105 runs in just under 7 overs to seal their legacy.

SIX! That's it! Jos Buttler finishes it off in some real style! Deccan Gladiators win by 8 wickets and claim the title again! Qais Ahmad offers some flight and keeps it around off, on a fuller length, Jos Buttler tonks it over mid-wicket for a biggie to wrap the game.

A tad short and on off and middle, Jos Buttler pulls it to deep square leg for a couple of runs.