- Powell’s fireworks power Emirates Eagles past Royal Desert Champions
Abu Dhabi, 7 November 2026: Defending champions UAE Bulls stamped their authority with a seven-wicket victory against the Yas Lions in the opening match of the 2026 Abu Dhabi T10.
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The UAE Bulls hunted down their target of 121 with two balls to spare, courtesy of a dominant half-century from Andre Fletcher (68 off 34). Fans at Zayed Cricket Stadium were treated to an exquisite innings that included three sixes and eight fours.
Fletcher combined with Khawaja Nafay (35 off 17) for a 76-run stand in just 32 deliveries. Nafay extended his thunderous form from last season with two fours and three sixes.
Batting first, the Yas Lions posted 120/3 on the back of contributions from across the batting order. The Bulls’ attack did well to keep openers James Vince (32 off 19) and Andries Gous (19 off 17) in check, though the pair still put on 51 in 34 balls.
The innings picked up momentum soon after, with the Lions plundering 56 runs in the final four overs. Dasun Shanaka (23 off 10) played a cameo, while Karim Janat (27* off 9) and Jason Holder (14* off 5) provided the late flourish to finish at 120/3 in 10 overs.
Janat (2/10) was the top bowler on the day.
Powell’s fireworks power Emirates Eagles past Royal Desert Champions
Skipper Rovman Powell lifted the Emirates Eagles to a 16-run win over the Royal Desert Champions in the second match of the 2026 Abu Dhabi T10.
Two partnerships set the tone for the Eagles. Kyle Mayers (39 off 19) and Alex Hales (22 off 17) built a 64-run stand in 34 deliveries to give them a strong start.
The finish was scripted by Powell (41* off 16), who hammered four sixes and a four. Shimron Hetmyer (15* off 11) supported him as the pair put on 60 runs in only 24 balls to steer the Eagles to 125/2 in 10 overs.
In reply, the Royal Desert Champions suffered an early setback when Trent Boult removed Phil Salt (4 off 2) in the first over.
Muhammad Waseem (13 off 9) and Nicholas Pooran (14 off 7) chipped in before Sherfane Rutherford’s rapid-fire 33 off 12, which included two fours and three sixes, put the Royal Desert Champions ahead of the required rate.
Momentum shifted again when Chris Green brought Rutherford’s assault to an end in the sixth over, leaving the score at 69/4. Boult and Hardus Viljoen then gave away only 7 runs across two overs and took two wickets to put the game beyond the Royal Desert Champions.
Despite a late surge from Chris Jordan (27 off 17), the innings closed at 109/7.
United Tigers will take on Arabian Aces in the third fixture of the day.
Brief scores
UAE Bulls beat Yas Lions by seven wickets
Yas Lions 120/3 in 10 overs (James Vince 32, Karim Janat 27*, Dasun Shanaka 23; Muhammad Rohid Khan 1/14, Romario Shepherd 1/14)
UAE Bulls 121/3 in 9.4 overs (Andre Fletcher 68, Khawaja Nafay 35; Karim Janat 2/10)
Emirates Eagles beat Royal Desert Champions by 16 runs
Emirates Eagles 125/2 in 10 overs (Rovman Powell 41*, Kyle Mayers 39, Alex Hales 22; Chris Jordan 1/22)
Royal Desert Champions 109/7 in 10 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 33, Chris Jordan 27, Nicholas Pooran 14; Trent Boult 2/14, Hardus Viljoen 2/19, Haider Razzaq 2/22)
ENDS