The Quetta Qavalry kicked off their Abu Dhabi T10 2025/26 season with a dominant 51-run victory over the Northern Warriors. After being put in to bat, the Qavalry posted a formidable 133 for 5, thanks largely to a stunning, unbeaten 45 from just 12 balls by Khawaja Nafay. In reply, the Northern Warriors’ chase never gained momentum, and they finished their 10 overs at 82 for 2, with Colin Munro’s 44 being the only notable contribution in a losing cause. Nafay was deservedly named Player of the Match for his game-changing innings.
Scorecard Table
| Team | Score | Overs | Wickets | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quetta Qavalry | 133/5 | 10 | 5 | Won by 51 runs |
| Northern Warriors | 82/2 | 10 | 2 | (Target: 134) |
Top Performers Table
| Player | Team | Role | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khawaja Nafay | Quetta Qavalry | Batter | 45* (12 balls, 2×4, 5×6) |
| Jason Holder | Quetta Qavalry | All-rounder | 24* (10 balls) & 1/17 (2 overs) |
| Colin Munro | Northern Warriors | Batter | 44 (28 balls, 3×4, 3×6) |
| Trent Boult | Northern Warriors | Bowler | 2/20 (2 overs) |
Key Moments of the Match
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Qavalry’s Rocky Start: The Qavalry found themselves in trouble early, losing key batsmen Evin Lewis, Andries Gous, and captain Liam Livingstone in quick succession. At 65 for 5 in the 7th over, a big score looked unlikely.
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Nafay and Holder’s Record Stand: Khawaja Nafay and Jason Holder completely changed the game with a blistering, unbroken 6th-wicket partnership. They smashed 68 runs in just 3.3 overs, with Nafay’s five sixes destroying the Warriors’ bowling attack.
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Warriors’ Chase Fizzles Out: Needing a rapid start, the Warriors lost Johnson Charles in the very first over. The required run rate climbed steeply, putting immense pressure on the remaining batsmen.
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A Slow Partnership: While Hazratullah Zazai (31*) and Colin Munro (44) put on a 77-run stand, their scoring rate was not enough to challenge the huge target. They batted until the final ball but fell far short.
Match Analysis
The Quetta Qavalry’s victory was a classic T10 tale of momentum. For the first half of their innings, they were on the back foot, struggling against the pace of Trent Boult and the spin of Tabraiz Shamsi. However, the explosive partnership between Khawaja Nafay and Jason Holder demonstrated the destructive potential of the T10 format, where a game can be won in a matter of a dozen balls. Nafay’s strike rate of 375 was the engine of the Qavalry’s innings.
For the Northern Warriors, the bowling effort fell apart at the death. While Boult was economical and took two key wickets, the other bowlers proved expensive. Their batting approach was too cautious for the format. Despite having wickets in hand, the run rate required was always climbing, and the lack of aggressive intent in the Powerplay overs cost them dearly. Colin Munro’s effort was valiant but came too late to make a difference.
What’s Next
This win gives Quetta Qavalry two crucial points and a significant net run rate boost at the start of the tournament. They will look to carry this explosive batting form into their next fixture. The Northern Warriors, on the other hand, will need to re-evaluate their strategy, particularly their batting approach in high-run-rate chases. Both teams will be back in action soon as the fast-paced Abu Dhabi T10 continues.