South African cricket legend Lance Klusener has drawn parallels between the Abu Dhabi T10’s impact on UAE cricket and the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) influence on Indian cricket. According to Klusener, the league’s mandate of including at least two UAE players in every playing XI is instrumental in developing local talent and raising the overall standard of cricket in the country.
“The Abu Dhabi T10 has done for UAE cricket what the IPL has done for Indian cricket. It’s a slightly different format but still identifies and promotes talent,” Klusener stated in a release from the league.
The tournament has already showcased UAE cricketers like Zeeshan Naseer, Muhammad Rohid, and Rohaan Mustafa, who have delivered standout performances. Over the years, the Abu Dhabi T10 has become a breeding ground for new talent, with many players progressing to the international stage.
As the head coach of the Morrisville Samp Army, Klusener has steered his team to an outstanding season, winning seven out of six games and finishing among the top two in the round-robin stage. Reflecting on their journey, he remarked, “The season has been wonderful for us. The job is done in terms of qualifying, and now we regroup and prepare for the playoffs.”
Klusener, known for his dynamic playing style during his cricketing career, has embraced the fast-paced nature of T10 cricket. Now in his third year as a coach in the league, he emphasized that fundamentals like fielding and running between the wickets remain crucial, even in this high-octane format. “In T10, the basics of cricket still apply—fielding, ones, and twos. In 90 percent of games, the result comes down to the last overs. We focus on taking every single and double possible rather than relying on boundaries,” he explained.
Fielding, according to Klusener, is a game-changer in the shortest format. “We aim to be in the best position for as many catches or fielding opportunities as possible. These basics make a huge difference,” he added.
As UAE cricket benefits from the platform provided by the Abu Dhabi T10, Klusener’s coaching philosophy and the league’s unique approach are setting new benchmarks for talent development. Fans eagerly anticipate the playoffs, where the Morrisville Samp Army and other teams will battle for supremacy in what has become one of the most exciting cricket tournaments globally.