Royal Champs produced one of the biggest upsets of the 2025 Abu Dhabi T10, beating table-toppers Quetta Qavalry by 14 runs to snap their six-match unbeaten streak in the final group stage clash.

Vishen Halambage delivered a standout all-round performance, smashing 41 off 19 and taking 1/9,  to help the Champs post 111/8 after a shaky start. The innings had earlier collapsed to 15/3 as Abdul Ghaffar (2/6) and Umar Lohya struck early blows, removing Jason Roy, Quentin Sampson and Aaron Jones.

A blistering 52-run partnership off just 11 balls between Halambage and Brandon McMullen (22 off 13) revived the innings, with both players clearing the ropes twice. Daniel Sams (20 off 7) added valuable late runs before George Scrimshaw (3/28) pulled things back with three wickets in the final over.

Chasing 112, Quetta were rocked early when Liam Dawson removed Evin Lewis and Irfan Khan. Andries Gous (62 off 33) was the lone warrior for the Qavalry, striking seven fours and two sixes in a gritty knock. But with Liam Livingstone (14) and Khawaja Nafay failing to convert starts, and the required rate climbing, Gous’ effort proved insufficient as Quetta finished on 97/4.

Pooran and Wiese ignite Gladiators in must-win clash

Earlier in the day, Deccan Gladiators kept their playoff hopes alive with a commanding total of 134/6, a score built on explosive hitting from Nicholas Pooran and David Wiese.

Pooran (39 off 21) was in vintage form, smashing 26 runs in nine balls with Tim Kohler-Cadmore and adding 29 more with Andre Russell (22 off 8). Despite Andrew Tye’s excellent spell of 3/15, removing Kohler-Cadmore, Russell and Marcus Stoinis, the Gladiators powered on.

David Wiese took charge in the death overs, hammering 40 off just 15 balls, including five sixes, two of them in the final over, to push Deccan to the highest total of the day.