‘GLAD TO GET MY NAME IN RECORD BOOKS’: NEW YORK STRIKER’S AKEAL HOSEIN ON HAT-TRICK AHEAD OF FINAL
Abu Dhabi, 9th December 2023: It was a brilliant bowling effort from the New York Strikers in the First Qualifier of the seventh edition of the Abu Dhabi T10 on Friday, with Akeal Hosein picking a hat-trick in the first over against Morrisville Samp Army. With figures of 5/6 in 2 overs, Akeal restricted the opposition to 80/9 and New York Strikers won the match by 41 runs.
Speaking after the match, Akeal revealed the conversation the team had with the skipper Kieron Pollard before the all-important Qualifier. “We are happy to get over the line and reach the final. Our skipper Kieron Pollard spoke to us before the match about which route, we wanted to take to the final – the short route or the long route. I think we came out today and put in a total team effort and hence, we have reached the final.”
The left-arm spinner also went on to detail the team’s strategies going that have helped them throughout the tournament so far. “Last game we had a couple of changes and the guy who sat last game came back. Whether we bat or bowl, it’s the same thing. We assess conditions and we try to execute. As a batting group, we try to bat as smart as possible and take it deep and that’s exactly what we did.”
Speaking on his hat-trick, Akeal said, “I am happy to get my name onto the record books. I dedicate my hat-trick to a guy on our staff Z Nicholas. He has kept us on our toes and has motivated us a lot. So, I dedicate this hat-trick to him.”
Meanwhile, Rahmanullah Gurbaz also returned to his roaring best on Friday night as he smashed 56 off 28 balls with five sixes and four fours. The right-handed batsman was dismissed for 0 in the last two games and was also suffering from a finger injury. But his fighting knock on Friday put the Strikers in the driver’s seat in the game as they posted a total of 121/5 in 10 overs.
Speaking after the match, Gurbaz said, “I feel excited that after getting out for zero twice, I made a strong comeback. It was a great way to reach the semifinal so it was a great win. If the coaching staff and management staff trust you and support you, you feel confident. The team needed me and I wanted to score, so I wanted to play despite the pain in my finger. I had faith that I would be able to get runs on the board for the team.”
Gurbaz said the team is ready for the final. “I was thinking that if I give a good start, we will be in a good position because we have good finishers in our team. Now we will rest and be ready for the final,” he signed off.