De Zorzi maiden ton leads Titans to victory in Abu Dhabi

Cape Town - A maiden T20 century by Tony de Zorzi saw the Titans beat the Boost Defenders by 50 runs in their Abu Dhabi T20 League opening match at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Opener De Zorzi provided a man-of-the-match performance as he smashed an unbeaten 106 off 57 balls. 

Proteas all-rounder Chris Morris also provided a quick firing unbeaten 44 off 14 balls as the Titans posted a demanding 218-3 in their allocated 20 overs.

Former Proteas bowler Kyle Abbott, bowling for the Afghanistan franchise, was punished by his fellow countrymen as he ended with figures of 1-49.

The Boost Defenders lost an early wicket in their run-chase as Eldred Hawken took the wicket of Sri Lanka's Ramith Rambukwella (13).

Englishman Ryan Higgins and Defender's skipper Colin Ingram made a solid 95-run second wicket partnership before Morris dismissed Higgins for 45.

Former Proteas batsman Ingram hit 51 off 28 balls before Shaun von Berg trapped him LBW.

Abbott chipped in with the bat with an unbeaten 12 but the total was a far stretch for the Boost Defenders as they ended on 168-8 in their 20 overs.

Von Berg was the pick of the Titans bowlers as he ended on 3-23, Hawken finished 2-37 and Tshepo Moreki ended with figures of 2-20.

The Titans play New Zealand's Auckland Aces on Saturday at 13:00 SA time. (Televised on SS2)

Titans Abu Dhabi T20 squad:

Albie Morkel (captain), Andrea Agathagelou, Farhaan Behardien, Henry Davids, Theunis de Bruyn, Tony de Zorzi, Eldred Hawken, Heino Kuhn, Gregory Mahlokwana, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Tshepo Moreki, Chris Morris, Alfred Mothoa and Shaun von Berg.

WICKET & VICTORY: Moreki ends the match with a wicket as Ahmedz is caught for 11.

Titans open their #AbuDhabiT20 campaign with a 50-run win against the Boost Defenders. #TTvBD pic.twitter.com/4M1AggwH29

— The Titans (@Titans_Cricket) October 5, 2018