ABU DHABI: A combined team effort by New York Strikers handed Northern Warriors their first loss during the ongoing season of the Abu Dhabi T10 League in a low-scoring thriller at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium.

New York Strikers jumped to the top of the Abu Dhabi T10 League points table after today’s three-wicket victory.

Strikers opted to bowl first and Akeal Hosein justified the decision right as he bowled Kennar Lewis in the first over.

Hazratullah Zazai was the next to depart after scoring a cautious 17 off 21 with two boundaries.

Colin Munro then took control and attacked Strikers as he remained unbeaten at 44 runs from 27 balls with the help of three boundaries and as many sixes.

Munro could not get enough support from the other end and Northern Warriors ended up scoring a meagre 88-3 in 10 overs.

In response, Muhammad Waseem (23) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (22) gave Strikers a flying start in the pursuit of a small total.

However, Tabraiz Shamsi removed both openers in his consecutive overs to halt Strikers’ progress at 54-2 in 6 overs.

Abhimanyu Mithun then removed Kusal Perera and Kieron Pollard in the same over to further damage Strikers’ pursuit.

Angelo Mathews also picked two wickets in one over to further slip them to 74-6.

However, Akeal Hosein held on to his nerves and finished the match with a six on the first ball of the final over.

Shamsi, Mathews and Mithun picked two wickets each for Northern Warriors.

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