The only T10 cricket league sanctioned by the ICC, the Abu Dhabi T10 League 2021 is in its fourth season this year. Here’s all you need to know about the format.
The Abu Dhabi T10 League 2021 takes off on January 28 and has 29 matches squeezed into 10 days in the cricketing calendar. The Abu Dhabi T10 League 2021 fixtures begin with a group stage that has three matches in a day and runs from January 28 to January 31. The ‘Super League’ phase begins on February 1 and stretches till February 4. There are three play-off matches on February 5 with the third-place game and the final the following day.
Abu Dhabi T10 League 2021 – Explaining the format
Eight teams play the tournament and they are split into two groups of four teams each.
Group A: Maratha Arabians, Bangla Tigers, Delhi Bulls, and Northern Warriors
Group B: Deccan Gladiators, Qalandars, Team Abu Dhabi and Pune Devils
The teams play three matches in the group phase, one against each of the other teams in the same group. In the Super League phase, the teams play against teams from the other group and it gives way to the play-offs.
The top two teams play in the Qualifier game in the play-off with the winner going straight through to the final. The third and fourth-ranked teams play the Eliminator with the winner from the game playing the losing team from the Qualifier to decide the other finalist.
T10 Cricket – What are the rules?
T10 cricket is pretty much a shortened version of T2o cricket and this is reflected in the rules as well. The 10-over a side tournament is a 90-minute game that has a 10-minute break after an innings.
Every bowler has a maximum of two overs in T10 cricket. The powerplay lasts three overs, exactly half of that in T20 cricket, and allows a maximum of two players outside the inner circle. Post that, five players can stand outside the 30-yard circle.
