Royal Champs icon player Jason Roy remains confident his side can reignite their campaign at the 2025 Abu Dhabi T10, despite a challenging start to their debut season.

Roy, who struck 42 off 25 balls in Sunday’s seven-wicket defeat to the Ajman Titans, admitted the team has yet to find its rhythm but stressed that the squad possesses the talent and resolve to shift momentum swiftly.

The Royal Champs are still chasing their first victory of the tournament, having taken three of their four matches into the final over, only to fall agonisingly short.

“A few things haven’t been working well for us, but we’re working hard to get the right mix and balance,” Roy said. “It’s T10 cricket, it’s just that one match to get the momentum back, and I’m confident this team will bounce back.”

Backing experience and leadership

The 2019 ICC World Cup winner credited the depth of seasoned campaigners in the dressing room, pointing to the presence of Angelo Mathews and Shakib Al Hasan, along with the guidance of legendary fast bowler and head coach Sir Courtney Walsh.

“Having guys like Angelo and Shakib is invaluable. Their experience in pressure situations and across formats brings so much to the group,” Roy said. “With Sir Courtney Walsh leading us, we have the leadership and knowledge to turn this around.”

Roy also emphasised the importance of conditioning given the rapid-fire format and tight turnaround between fixtures.

“Fitness and recovery are crucial in such a gruelling schedule. We’re managing resources carefully to ensure everyone is at their best when called upon.”

Love for Abu Dhabi and belief in the campaign

Despite the tough start to the Champs’ inaugural journey, Roy said he relishes returning to the UAE capital each year.

“I genuinely enjoy my cricket in Abu Dhabi and love coming here. The facilities are world-class, and it’s a brilliant environment for players,” he said. “There’s so much to explore here, it’s always special.”

The Abu Dhabi T10 continues through November 30, with the Royal Champs next facing the Aspin Stallions on November 26 as they hunt their first points of the season.

Ajman Titans stormed to a commanding seven-wicket victory over the Royal Champs, while the red-hot Quetta Qavalry extended their unbeaten run with a nine-wicket win against the UAE Bulls in Sunday’s Abu Dhabi T10 action at Zayed Cricket Stadium.

Titans Cruise to Second Straight Win

A blistering batting display led by Rilee Rossouw (37 off 20) and Moeen Ali (29 off 10) saw the Titans chase down 110 in just 8.2 overs, securing back-to-back victories after two early losses. The defeat leaves the Royal Champs still searching for their first win, now sitting on four straight losses.

Ajman’s chase began with a rapid burst as Aneurin Donald (16 off 5) smashed two fours and a six in the opening over. Alex Hales (21 off 10) and Rossouw kept the scoring rate high before Moeen Ali finished the match in style, clearing the ropes twice and striking three boundaries in a dominant finish.

Earlier, Wasim Akram returned exceptional figures of 2/7, helping restrict the Champs to 109/5. Despite a strong 80-run stand between Jason Roy (42 off 25) and Brandon McMullen (43 off 26), late strikes from Akram and Chris Green, who removed Chris Jordan and McMullen in quick succession, halted their charge.

Qavalry Continue Winning Run with Brutal Nine-Wicket Win

In the day’s third match, Muhammad Waseem’s fiery 50 off just 19 balls and Mohammad Amir’s outstanding 4/16 propelled Quetta Qavalry to a dominant victory over the UAE Bulls.

Chasing 110, Waseem tore into the bowlers with six fours and three sixes, while Evin Lewis remained unbeaten on 48 off 24, steering the Qavalry home with 8.2 overs completed.

Earlier, the Bulls were held to 101 after Amir ripped through the batting order, removing Kieron Pollard, Iftikhar Ahmed and Tim David in a destructive eighth over. Phil Salt (31 off 15) and Rovman Powell (23 off 14) briefly revived the innings before Tanveer and Amir closed it out.

The Abu Dhabi T10 has consistently pushed the boundaries of cricket innovation, delivering record-breaking performances and unforgettable moments since its inception. From Mohammad Shahzad’s 12-ball half-century in 2018 to the latest chapter written by Ajman Titans pacer Zaman Khan, who became the newest member of the tournament’s exclusive hat-trick club, the 2025 season has reaffirmed the format’s reputation for high-impact, adrenaline-fuelled cricket.

A Global Cricketing Powerhouse

The 2025 edition features 145 elite players from 15 nations, underscoring the tournament’s global appeal.
The UAE leads participation with 29 players, followed by England (28) and the West Indies (18). Other major contributors include Pakistan (15), Afghanistan (12) and Sri Lanka (12), with representatives also from Australia, India, USA, South Africa, Bangladesh, New Zealand, Namibia, Scotland and Hungary, reflecting T10 cricket’s rapidly expanding global footprint.

Fastest Half-Centuries – The Ultimate Benchmark

The fastest fifty remains one of the tournament’s most iconic records, completed in just 12 balls, achieved by:

• Mohammad Shahzad (2018)
• Chris Gayle (2021)
• Mohammad Wasim Jr (2021)

Top Run-Scorers in T10 History

• Tom Kohler-Cadmore – 1,653 runs (56 innings)
• Nicholas Pooran – 1,480 runs (56 innings)
• Rovman Powell – 1,254 runs (52 innings)

Six-Hitting Kings

• Nicholas Pooran – 131 sixes
• Tom Kohler-Cadmore – 110 sixes
• Rovman Powell – 109 sixes

Leading Wicket-Takers

• Dwayne Bravo – 39 wickets
• Naveen-ul-Haq – 35 wickets
• Qais Ahmad – 34 wickets

Hat-Trick Heroes

Zaman Khan’s hat-trick against the Northern Warriors added his name to a rare list including:
Shahid Afridi (2017), Aamer Yamin (2018), Pravin Tambe (2018), Wayne Parnell (2021), Oshane Thomas (2021–22), Adil Rashid (2021–22), Angelo Mathews (2023), Akeal Hosein (2023)

Most Expensive Overs

• Monir Hossain – 35 runs
• Joshua Little – 35 runs
• Gulbadin Naib – 34 runs

T10 Champions – Teams with the Most Titles

• Deccan Gladiators – 3
• Northern Warriors – 2
• New York Strikers, Maratha Arabians, Kerala Kings – 1 each

Highest Team Totals

• 183/2 – Northern Warriors (vs Punjabi Legends)
• 162/4 – Northern Warriors (vs Bangla Tigers Mississauga)
• 159/0 – Deccan Gladiators (vs UAE Bulls)

Most Player of the Match Awards

• Nicholas Pooran – 11
• Andre Fletcher – 8
• Gurbaz / Kohler-Cadmore / Phil Salt – 5 each

As the 2025 Abu Dhabi T10 moves deeper into the competition, new storylines continue to unfold, and more records are waiting to be rewritten. With momentum shifting daily and players competing at the edge of possibility, the race for supremacy in cricket’s fastest format is only set to intensify.