**Day 13 – National Pool League: Match 3 – Titans vs Havoc**
The Iron Dome buzzes with energy. This isn't just a match.
It's a battle written long ago — *Aryan Raj* vs *Zayaan Sheikh*.
They haven't spoken in days.
No words. Just fire in their eyes.
---
### 🎙️ Pre-Match Build-Up
News outlets explode:
> "The calm vs the storm.
> The strategist vs the warrior.
> Aryan Raj vs Zayaan Sheikh."
In the dugouts:
**Zayaan** (to himself):
> "This isn't about points. This is personal."
**Omkar** (to Aryan):
> "You don't need to beat him. Just out-think him."
Aryan simply nods.
---
### 🪙 Toss
Havoc wins. Zayaan elects to bat.
> "We burn first. Let them chase ashes."
---
### 💥 Havoc Innings
Zayaan opens with Sai.
**1st Over – Aryan bowls.**
Off-spin. First ball: dot.
Second ball: Zayaan goes big — SIX over long-on.
Omkar adjusts the field instantly.
Third ball: quicker one — Zayaan edges — **dropped by Iqbal!**
Sai rotates strike. Aryan smiles — a calm storm.
**5th Over – Omkar bowls**
Sai tries to cut — bowled.
Zayaan looks up — breathes in — rage rising.
**7th Over – Zayaan launches**
Pull. Drive. Slice.
18 runs in an over.
**Final Over – Rishi to bowl**
Zayaan on 46*
First ball – Yorker. Dot.
Second – short, pulled for FOUR!
Third – Full toss, SIX!
**Zayaan ends on 56*(30)**
**Havoc: 90/2 (10 overs)**
---
### 🧠 Titans Chase
Aryan and Iqbal open.
Zayaan sledges from slip:
> "This isn't your slow game, monk. This is my firepit."
Aryan ignores.
**2nd Over – Aryan flicks a boundary. Then another.**
Omkar claps softly.
**4th Over – Titans 40/0**
Zayaan takes the ball.
He steams in.
First ball – bouncer, Aryan ducks.
Second – yorker, blocked.
Third – off-cutter, Aryan drives — FOUR!
Zayaan growls.
**6th Over – Aryan goes full Zen mode**
Reverse sweeps. Ramp shots. Pulls.
Zayaan keeps changing pace — Aryan keeps adapting.
**9th Over – Titans need 8 runs**
Iqbal edges for FOUR.
Next ball – single.
**Aryan on strike – 3 to win**
Zayaan bowls a fiery bouncer.
Aryan steps back — cuts late — ball races to third man fence!
**Titans win by 9 wickets.**
---
### 🏟️ Aftermath
Aryan walks off quietly.
Zayaan sits on the grass. Breathing heavily.
Sai pats his back. No words exchanged.
Commentator:
> "The difference?
> Zayaan fought to dominate. Aryan fought to remain unshaken."
---
### 📊 Player of the Match: Aryan Raj – 48*(27)
Omkar (to Aryan):
> "You didn't fight him. You absorbed him."
Aryan (softly):
> "I didn't play *him.* I played the ball."
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🔥 **Next: Chapter 31 – Phoenix vs Vanguard – A Captain's Dilemma**