ABU DHABI: Delhi Bulls’ Adil Rashid powered his side to a thumping victory over Team Abu Dhabi in their ongoing fixture, here on Thursday.

After being put into bat by Abu Dhabi captain Liam Livingstone, the Bulls’ openers were unable to provide a solid start for the team, with Chandrapaul Hemraj (1) being dismissed by Sheldon Cottrell for only seven runs on the board.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sherfane Rutherford, however, put on a strong batting display, both scoring half-centuries. The pair contributed 105 runs to the team’s total and got them out of trouble before Rutherford was run-out on 52 off 22 deliveries, smoking five maximums and three boundaries.

Soon after, wickets started to fall at the other end. Rahmanullah, on the other hand, retaliated but was run-out after scoring 69 runs off 29 deliveries, including six maximums and five boundaries. The remaining batters failed to make a significant contribution to the team’s total, and the Bulls finished with 135/5 in 10 overs.

Cottrell, Livingstone and Naveen-ul-Haq each struck out a batter.

In response, Abu Dhabi’s openers were unable to provide a solid start to the side, as Paul Stirling was dismissed by Hemraj on one. Livingstone and Phil Salt, on the other hand, looked promising, but their stand was broken by Shiraz Ahmed, who struck Salt out for 29.

Rashid also removed Abu Dhabi’s top-scorer Livingstone (29 off 14 deliveries), the first wicket of his hat-trick. Rashid dismissed the remaining two batters, Colin Ingram and Jamie Overton, on next two balls. Rashid’s hat-trick sparked a collapse in Abu Dhabi’s batting order, and the team was eventually restricted to 86/8 in their allotted 10 overs.

Rashid, without a doubt, was the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets for 15 runs, including a hat-trick. Dominic Drakes was also impressive, bagging three wickets. Shiraz and Hemraj, on the other hand, each struck out a batter.

With this victory, the Bulls powered their way to claim second place in the points standings. Abu Dhabi, on the other hand, slipped down to third place and Bangla Tigers fell to fourth-position. Whereas, Deccan Gladiators remained at the top.

The Bulls will face Gladiators in the first qualifier tomorrow. Whereas, Abu Dhabi will lock horns with the Tigers in the eliminator.

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