Zaman Khan’s hat-trick and Moeen Ali’s breezy unbeaten 33 lead Ajman Titans to a roaring win over Northern Warriors

By K.R. Nayar 

Abu Dhabi. Zaman Khan’s deadly hat-trick and skipper Moeen Ali’s latest blitzkrieg unbeaten knock of 33 ensured Ajman Titans marched past two-time champions Northern Warriors in the Abu Dhabi T10 on Friday at the Abu Dhabi Zayed Cricket Stadium. Their spectacular show gave the Titans not just their first sweet win of the tournament, but also the spark and energy for their race to the title.

Khan, who has played for Pakistan in ten T20 Internationals and one ODI, delivered a spell that will be remembered for a long time to come. He bagged four wickets for 19 runs through a stunning hat-trick in his second over—the ninth of the innings—sending shockwaves through the Warriors’ camp. His hat-trick included the wickets of Odean Smith who was caught, and Shahid Bhutta and Uzair Khan, both clean bowled in rapid succession. He had already removed Colin Munro in his first over. His fiery and unforgettable performance finally restricted Warriors to 118 for 7 in 10 overs.

Titans’ majestic victory was then completed in champion style by Moeen Ali, whose unbeaten 59 in their first match against Quetta Qavalry had gone in vain, but destiny favoured him this time. His unbeaten 33 off just eight balls, lit up with four sixes and two boundaries, guided Titans past the finish line with two overs to spare and propelled them from the bottom of the table to number five.

The tale of the Titans’ triumph took shape under the inspirational words of their coach Mickey Arthur, who had predicted after their defeat to Aspin Stallions that the individual brilliance shown in that match would soon launch his side to multiple victories. His words proved true in the most emphatic manner possible.

Tale of the triumph

Warriors won the toss and elected to bat. Their opener Johnson Charles wasted no time, smashing the first boundary of the match off the fifth ball of the opening over from Akif Javed to backward square leg. Though only six runs came off the first over, the tempo changed in the second. Wasim Akram, who bowled the next over, was struck by Charles for a boundary to third man off the fourth delivery and then for a towering six over extra cover off the last ball. Zaman Khan, playing his first match in this edition, made an immediate impact with his first ball, having Colin Munro caught by Alex Hales at mid-on for 2.

Charles continued his fireworks and launched Khan for a six over long-on. Shimron Hetmyer joined Charles and got off the mark with a boundary to fine leg. Off-spinner Chris Green, who had bowled brilliantly in their last match against Stallions, struck once again with the second delivery of his over, dismissing Hetmyer caught by Wasim Akram for 6 and giving away only two runs in the over. 

Titans then introduced Indian leg spinner Piyush Chawla, but Charles showed no mercy. After a wide, he launched Chawla’s second ball for a massive six over long-on. Chawla fought back, removing Thisara Perera with the third ball, caught by Chris Green for 7. Charles struck once more—hammering a boundary to deep mid-wicket and a six off the final ball of the over to deep mid-wicket, taking 20 runs off it.

Green, who had earlier bowled with great control, was also punished as Charles hit him for a six over sweeper cover and a boundary off the last ball, taking 15 off that over. Akif Javed was reintroduced and though Azmatullah Omarzai hit him for a six to fine leg off the second delivery, Javed struck back immediately, dismissing him caught and bowled for 11. Charles completed his half-century in just 19 balls with a boundary to backward square leg off the final delivery. Wasim Akram returned for the eighth over and Odean Smith greeted him with three consecutive boundaries, intensifying the Warriors’ charge.

Hat-trick over

Then came the over that tilted the game dramatically. Zaman Khan returned for the ninth over and Charles smashed him through the covers for another boundary. Warriors crossed the 100-run mark in 8.2 overs. However, the celebrations did not last long. Odean Smith’s knock of 17 ended when Zaman had him spectacularly caught by a diving Chris Green at long-on. The next ball hit the stumps of Shahid Bhutta. Then, in a dramatic finish, Zaman clean bowled Uzair Khan with the final delivery to complete a sensational hat-trick that electrified the stadium.

Chawla bowled the final over of the innings and conceded two boundaries to Charles and one to Trent Boult. Charles remained unconquered with a brilliant 60 off just 23 balls, studded with seven boundaries and four sixes, as Warriors finished with 118 for 7 in 10 overs.

Donald ignites spectacular chase

Needing 12 runs an over demanded a fearless start, and Aneurin Donald delivered exactly that. He sent the second ball of the first over from Taskin Ahmed racing to fine leg for a boundary, then lifted the third delivery for a massive six to deep mid-wicket. He followed with another boundary to third man off the fourth, launched the fifth for another six to deep mid-wicket, and finished the over with a boundary to third man—taking a breathtaking 24 runs off the first over. Donald continued his stunning assault against Trent Boult, striking him for a boundary to long off, though Titans could manage only seven runs off that over.

Azmatullah Omarzai ended Donald’s explosive stay by having him caught by Hetmyer for 31. His 12-ball knock, filled with four boundaries and two sixes, had set the Titans aflame. Rilee Rossouw joined Alex Hales but Titans could gather only five runs off the following over. Shahnawaz Dahani bowled the fourth over and Hales struck a boundary off the second ball. Five wides came off a bye on the third, and Titans crossed the 50-run mark in just 3.4 overs when Rossouw hammered a six to deep mid-wicket. Another wide and a huge six by Rossouw to third man brought 24 runs from that over.

Two consecutive boundaries by Hales off Azmatullah—one through the covers and another to deep backward point—pushed the score upward. But Azmatullah struck back with the fourth ball, having Hales caught by Uzair Khan for 15. At halfway, Titans needed 49 more. Tabraiz Shamsi bowled the sixth and struck with the fifth ball to remove Will Smeed, caught by Odean Smith for 2. Dan Lawrence joined Rossouw with 42 runs needed off the last 24 balls.

Moeen’s shower of sixes

Taskin was reintroduced and Lawrence pierced the backward square leg for a boundary. He then lost Rossouw, caught by Hetmyer for 19 off the third ball. Skipper Moeen Ali walked in with 37 needed off 21 balls—a challenge he embraced with calm authority. He guided the first ball he faced to third man for a boundary, and with two wides later in the over, Titans collected 12 important runs.

Then came the over that completely changed the shape of the match. With 30 needed off 18 balls, Shamsi ran in—but Moeen unleashed devastation. He launched a mighty six over long-on, then smashed a straight six off the third ball. The fourth was dispatched for another massive blow, and he followed it up with a boundary to deep mid-wicket. The last ball of the over was also smashed for a six to deep mid-wicket—30 runs from the over, sending the Titans’ dugout into raptures.

Moeen remained unconquered on 33 in a six-wicket win that not only lifted the Titans’ spirits but also fired a warning shot to every team in the league. Their campaign, now filled with rhythm, confidence, and a spark of brilliance, is ready for a charge toward greater conquests in the coming matches.