Deccan Gladiators 110 for 2 (Kohler-Cadmore 56*, Pooran 28) won Morrisville Samp Army 104 for 7 (Du Plessis 34, Gous 21, Gleeson 2-16) by eight wickets
By choosing the field, the Gladiators made sure that the Samp Army would not be allowed to escape at any time. Maheesh Theekshana struck first sending Sharjeel Khan back for 5 before Charith Asalanka ran out. Andries Gous (21 off nine) and Faf du Plessis (34 off 23) added a 37-run stand in 16 balls for the third wicket to progress the game.
The Gladiators, however, came back to take four wickets for six runs in 11 balls to restrict Samp Army. Karim Janat’s unbeaten eight-ball 16 took Samp Army to 104 for 7, a below-par score considering the format. Richard Gleeson was Gladiators’ most effective bowler, taking 2 for 16 in his two overs.
In response, Kohler-Cadmore wasted no time and accelerated. He smashed Rohan Mustafa for four consecutive fours in the opening to set up the chase. Pooran then came into action smashing Amir Hamza for a six before hitting Imad Wasim for two sixes and a four in the third over. It took Gladiators 2.4 overs to reach the 50 mark.
Isuru Udana gave Samp Army some relief by removing Pooran, but Rilee Rossouw smashed three fours in her first four deliveries to regain all the momentum. Kohler-Cadmore then smoked Qais Ahmed for three sixes and a four in the fifth over, which was for 25, and Gladiators were almost home.
