Ajmal Bolts delivered a lacklustre batting performance, with opener Shevon Daniels falling to Mark Adair in the second over. Alex Hales also failed to make an impact, and their middle order crumbled under pressure. While Ravi Bopara provided a glimmer of hope with a quickfire 23 off 13 balls, the lower order offered little resistance. Restrained by Abu Dhabi’s exceptional bowling, the Bolts stumbled to a modest 79/8.
In reply, the hosts had a rocky start as Paul Stirling departed for a golden duck. However, skipper Phil Salt took command, steering his side to victory in emphatic fashion. The highlight came in the fifth over, where Salt unleashed pure carnage against Gulbadin Naib.
Naib began with a good-length delivery around off-stump, which Salt dispatched over deep midwicket for a towering six. The second ball, short and angled at the stumps, met a similar fate as Salt powered it over deep midwicket. Growing visibly frustrated, Naib attempted a fuller line, only for Salt to drive it over long-on for four. The onslaught continued as Salt lofted another full delivery over long-on for six, followed by two more maximums towards deep midwicket and long-on. Salt’s rampage brought Naib to a rueful smile as he conceded an extraordinary 34 runs in a single over. The Twitterverse erupted in praise for Salt’s breathtaking knock, hailing his mastery in sealing the game for Abu Dhabi.
Absolute Carnage!
