Top Cricketers Set to Light Up Abu Dhabi T10 2023 Season

The 2023 edition of the Abu Dhabi T10 League, cricket’s fastest format, is gearing up for action, and the Player’s Draft is scheduled for Monday, October 9th, 2023. All eight participating teams – Bangla Tigers, Chennai Braves, Deccan Gladiators, Delhi Bulls, Morrisville Samp Army, New York Strikers, Northern Warriors, and Team Abu Dhabi – have announced their lists of retained players and new signings.

With 782 players from around the world registering for the draft, the competition promises a grand display of talent. Icon Stars like former Pakistan great Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Hafeez, Wahab Riaz, Bangladesh’s Tamim Iqbal, and Sri Lanka’s Dasun Shanaka are among the top picks for Monday’s draft.

Among the pre-signed players, the Delhi Bulls have secured the dynamic Ambati Rayudu, while the Bangla Tigers have added the explosive all-rounder Yusuf Pathan to their roster. On his participation, Pathan commented, “The 10-over format is exciting… My aim is to entertain the fans and help my team win the trophy this season.”

Nicholas Pooran, the leading run-scorer from the 2022 season, has been retained by the Deccan Gladiators. Pooran’s impressive performance last season included 345 runs in 10 games and 25 sixes. Captain Sikandar Raza, known for his consistent performances, is back with the Chennai Braves.

Chennai Braves have also pre-signed fan-favorite Hassan Ali and Kiwi pacer Trent Boult. Morrisville Samp Army added former South Africa Captain Faf du Plessis to their ranks.

Key retentions include Kieron Pollard by New York Strikers, Moeen Ali by Morrisville Samp Army, and Dwayne Bravo by Delhi Bulls. Alex Hales and Philip Salt will don Team Abu Dhabi’s colors, while Wanindu Hasaranga and Shakib al Hasan return with the Northern Warriors and Bangla Tigers, respectively.

The Platinum category of the Player’s Draft features the likes of Adil Rashid and Chris Lynn, while others are divided into five categories – Cat A, Cat B, Cat C, Emerging, and the UAE local players.

Also See: T10 Cricket Schedule

Full List of Player Retentions and Pre-Signings:

Team Abu Dhabi:

• Retained: Philip Salt (Icon), Tymal Mills (Cat A), Alex Hales (Cat B)
• Pre-Signings: Noor Ahmad (Asian Super Star), Kyle Mayers (Platinum)

Morrisville Samp Army:

• Retained: Moeen Ali (Cat A), Maheesh Theekshana (Cat B), Basil Hameed (UAE-RES)
• Pre-Signings: Faf du Plessis (Icon), Jason Holder (Platinum), Dewald Bravis (Cat A)

The Chennai Braves:

• Retained: Obed McCoy (Cat A), Sikandar Raza (Cat B)
• Pre-Signings: Jason Roy (Icon), Charith Asalanka (Platinum), Bhanuka Rajapaksa (Cat A), Hassan Ali (Asian Super Star)

New York Strikers:

• Retained: Kieron Pollard (Icon), Sunil Narine (Platinum), Akeal Hosein (Cat B), Muhammad Waseem (UAE-RES)
• Pre-Signings: Mohammad Amir (Cat A)

Deccan Gladiators:

• Retained: Nicholas Pooran (Icon), Andre Russell (Cat A), Tom Kohler-Cadmore (Cat B), Joshua Little (Cat C), Zahir Khan (UAE-RES)
• Pre-Signings: Trent Boult (Platinum)

Northern Warriors:

• Retained: Wanindu Hasaranga (Icon), James Neesham (Platinum), Kennar Lewis (Cat C), Adam Hose (Cat C)
• Pre-Signings: Hazratullah Zazai (Cat A)

Bangla Tigers:

• Retained: Shakib Al Hasan (Icon), Iftikhar Ahmed (Cat C), Matheesha Pathirana (Cat C), Rohan Mustafa (UAE-RES)
• Pre-Signings: Yusuf Pathan (Asian Super Star)

Delhi Bulls:

• Retained: Dwayne Bravo (Cat A), Rilee Rossouw (Cat B), Fazalhaq Farooqi (Cat B)
• Pre-Signings: Quinton de Kock (Icon), Rovman Powell (Platinum), Ambati Rayudu (Asian Super Star).