Quetta Qavalry vs Northern Warriors, 1st Match

The highly anticipated opening match of the Abu Dhabi T10 League 2025 features Quetta Qavalry taking on Northern Warriors at Sheikh Zayed Stadium. Quetta Qavalry come into this encounter with a solid if somewhat inconsistent recent run. Their last five matches have showcased powerful hitting from their middle order, but their bowling has occasionally leaked crucial runs in the death overs. On the other hand, the Northern Warriors boast a more balanced side, known for their disciplined bowling and aggressive openers. Historically, these two teams have faced off seven times in T20 formats with Northern Warriors edging the head-to-head record by four wins to three for Quetta. Key performers for Quetta include their explosive top-order batsman Ali Rizwan, who averages over 38 in recent outings, and their wily spinner Shahid Afridi, turning the tide with his variations. Northern Warriors rely heavily on their power-hitter Jason Roy and their leading wicket-taker Mustafizur Rahman. A crucial strategy for Quetta will be to contain the Warriors' openers early and accelerate in the middle overs, while Northern must aim to restrict Rizwan and exploit Quetta's bowling inconsistencies during death overs. Considering form, experience, and balance, Northern Warriors have a slight edge but this is a game that could tilt either way depending on the toss and early momentum. #### AI suggested match winner Quetta Qavalry: 46%, Northern Warriors: 54%

If Quetta Qavalry bats first, considering the pitch at Sheikh Zayed Stadium tends to favor stroke play with a few pace-friendly areas, they are likely to post a competitive total around 160-170 runs. Their strong middle order gives them firepower to capitalize up front. If Northern Warriors get to bat first, their clinical approach and explosive openers could see them reaching closer to 170-180, especially if they get a strong start. The pitch is expected to hold up well for batting throughout the innings, enabling both teams to play freely but with the underlying advantage to disciplined bowling in the later stages.

The Sheikh Zayed Stadium pitch is known for its true bounce and consistent pace, making it a batting-friendly surface. Average first-innings scores here have hovered around 165 in T20 matches, and chasing teams have a slightly better success rate of 55%. Weather on matchday is expected to be clear and dry with a mild breeze, ideal for fast bowlers upfront. Among the two teams, Jason Roy holds the record for the best individual batting performance with a century off 52 balls, while Mustafizur Rahman has been the standout bowler with the best figures of 4 for 18. Quetta's Shahid Afridi also boasts significant impact with his bowling on this ground in previous fixtures.

Matches Played	Quetta Qavalry Wins	Northern Warriors Wins
7	3	4

Team Recent Performance

Team	Last 5 Matches
Quetta Qavalry	W, L, W, L, W
Northern Warriors	W, W, L, W, W

Ali Rizwan has been in fine form, consistently contributing key runs in the middle order with a recent average of 39 in T20s.

Shahid Afridi remains an influential spinner with the knack for breaking partnerships, especially effective on the Sheikh Zayed pitch.

Jason Roy is a deadly opener whose recent explosive starts have been pivotal in setting aggressive totals.

Mustafizur Rahman continues to impress with his death bowling, maintaining an economy rate under 7 and consistently picking up wickets.

Asghar Stanikzai from Quetta Qavalry has also shown resilience with the bat, playing key innings to stabilize after early losses.

Rilee Rossouw offers finishing power for Northern Warriors, having scored crucial high-impact cameos in recent games.