The heroes of Ajman Titans’ second win: Wasim Akram and Rilee Rossouw’s tales
By K.R. Nayar
Abu Dhabi. Wasim Akram and Rilee Rossouw – heroes of Ajman Titans’ second win in the Abu Dhabi
T10 – have tales that go beyond the boundary ropes. Their rise has not been a
stroke of luck but the result of unwavering focus, relentless work, and a
burning desire to excel every single day.
Wasim Akram ... accurate spell
When Wasim Akram met his idol - the legendary Wasim Akram
He was entrusted with the new ball, asked to bowl the
very first over – a move that spoke of the faith his leaders have in him. “It
was my coach (Mickey Arthur) and captain (Moeen Ali) who wanted me to bowl the
first over. They asked me to bowl a hard line. All I did was make the batter
play at my deliveries,” he said. The reward came instantly, as he trapped USA’s
consistent opener Aaron Jones leg-before for a duck, setting the tone for the
night.
Well done Akram, says his teammates
Akram bowled from the end with the smaller boundary,
but rather than being daunted, he tightened his line and length, refusing to
give away even an inch. His sheer pace made West Indies batter Quentin Sampson
play and miss three times before he dismissed him too. “When they gave me the
first over, it boosted my confidence and I wanted to deliver,” said the
30-year-old, who works tirelessly on his fitness and had featured for the Delhi
Bulls in the 2023 edition of the T10.
Akram’s journey began long before he held a cricket
ball. His father had decided the day he was born that his son would become a
pacer, and fate aligned beautifully – the boy grew up to be a left-armer just
like his idol. Though Akram moved from Pakistan to the UAE to make a living, he
carried his dreams of playing with the greats of the game with him. Those
dreams became reality, and during season 2 of the ILT20, he met the great Wasim
Akram himself – his father’s hero and his own inspiration. That priceless
moment, immortalised in a photograph, remains his most treasured possession.
Akram considers the day he met the Sultan of
Swing as one of the greatest moments of his life. The legend offered him
invaluable tips, especially on mastering the outswing. Akram beams with
humility when people call him Wasim Akram Junior. “If I am able to bowl even a
fraction of what Wasim sir has done, I will consider it a big thing,” he’d once
said. If he continues bowling like this in the coming matches, he could propel
Ajman Titans to many more victories in the Abu Dhabi T10.
Rilee Rossouw... ensuring a quick win
The other star of the evening was Rossouw. He was the
first South African to score a century in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup,
achieving the feat against Bangladesh at Perth in 2022. Earlier that year, he
had struck a magnificent hundred against India at Indore. His last ODI in 2016
had also yielded a superb century against Australia at Cape Town. Today, he
stands tall as one of the most sought-after batters in franchise leagues across
the world.
Rilee Rossouw ... symbol of elegance and confidence
His confidence comes from honest self-belief and years
of proving himself across continents. “I believe in my ability. I have shown it
throughout the world. It’s never a confidence issue for me; it is just formed,”
he’d once remarked with calm assurance.
Away from cricket, Rossouw brings the same passion to the golf course. He learned the sport from his father and often uses it to refresh his mind and break away from the intensity of competition. With Ajman Titans staying at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s Yogo Hotel, he is soaking in every moment of this special environment, balancing elite performance with quiet joy.
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