Abu Dhabi, Nov 24, 2024, IANS

Abu Dhabi (UAE), Nov 24 (IANS) A dominant display by their bowling unit helped the New York Strikers secure their first victory in the Abu Dhabi T10 against Bangla Tigers, and England pacer Reece Toplay believes they are building momentum which will help them in the later stages of the tournament. The Strikers showcased why they're the defending champions of the tournament as they came up with a commanding performance after losing their opening match in the event. The match played at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, saw the Strikers secure a decisive seven-wicket victory through exceptional bowling performances. Left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein, who played a crucial role in the victory, reflected on the team's improved performance. "Playing after a defeat in the last game, we bounced back pretty well today. Getting those two early wickets was crucial, and the other bowlers continued to maintain the pressure. The energy from the team was exceptional, and that support really helped all the bowlers perform tonight. This convincing win will give us great momentum going forward into the next game." In a display of tactical bowling mastery, the Strikers restricted the Bangla Tigers to a mere 66/8 in their allotted 10 overs. The bowling attack was spearheaded by the trio of Akeal Hosein, Reece Topley, and Mohammad Amir, each claiming two wickets, while Sunil Narine and Matheesha Pathirana contributed with one wicket apiece. The Strikers' chase was clinical, reaching the target in just six overs, with wicketkeeper-batsman Donovan Ferreira leading the charge with an unbeaten 21 off 9 balls. Fast bowler Topley, who executed his plans perfectly, shared his thoughts on the victory. "I was full of confidence going out there. We did the work behind the scenes with everyone, and it's nice when a plan comes together. There are plenty of times when it doesn't, so it's important to cherish these moments. Getting that first win in any tournament is massive, and doing it so convincingly will do us a world of good." Team captain Kieron Pollard expressed his satisfaction with the complete team performance. "I'm very happy to get that first win on the board. While we haven't been winning our first games consistently, seeing the guys come out the next day and totally dominate was fantastic. The bowlers hit the right areas early, the ball swung for us, and we capitalized on every opportunity. At one and one in the tournament, we understand what's needed against a good team like Deccan. If we stick to our basics and do the simple things right, we can maintain this momentum," he said. The New York Strikers will look to build on this impressive victory as they prepare to face Deccan Gladiators in their next fixture. With this win, the team has demonstrated they remain serious contenders for retaining their title in this year's Abu Dhabi T10 tournament.