Watch: Sherfane Rutherford blasts his way to become inaugural centurion of Abu Dhabi T10

While almost entire focus of the cricket fraternity is on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the mega auction for the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League, something extraordinary has gone down in the ongoing edition of the Abu Dhabi T10. Today, Sherfane Rutherford became the first batter to score a century in the tournament. Interestingly, this milestone has come in the eighth installment of the tournament. 

Although Brandon King got the Northern Warriors' innings to a flyer, he was dismissed on the final delivery of the first over. Rutherford came to the middle when another West Indian teammate, Johnson Charles, was dismissed by Tymal Mills. From that time onwards, it was all about Rutherford battering away the ball to all parts. It was after the powerplay when the southpaw truly got going, and in some style. UP Nawabs' Odean Smith was taken to the cleaners by Rutherford, who blazed five maximums in an over which went for 33 runs.

Rutherford brought up his ton on the final delivery of the innings by dismissing a low full-toss on middle-and-leg stump to the deep square-leg fence to end up on an unbeaten 103-run score off a meagre 40 deliveries. 

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Gurbaz, Fletcher render Rutherford's ton in vain

Rutherford's marvellous display in the first innings was overshadowed by Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the Nawabs' skipper, and wicketkeeper-batter, Andre Fletcher. Saqib Mahmood dismissed Dawid Malan early in the piece, and one would have assumed it to be a formidable run-chase.

However, Gurbaz and Fletcher successfully doubled up and motored their side to a dominating nine-wicket victory with five deliveries to spare. Fletcher was awarded the Player of the Match accolade for his commanding 75* (27). The outcome of this fixture was the first victory in the current edition for the Nawabs.