South African trio Colin Ingram, Cameron Delport and Kyle Abbott starred in the Boost Defenders’ comfortable 35-run victory over the Auckland Aces, in Thursday’s opening fixture of the inaugural Abu Dhabi T20 Trophy at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in the UAE.

Afghanistan’s Boost Defenders posted a hefty total of 205-5, built on the back of captain Ingram’s unbeaten 84 from a mere 47 deliveries. Delport, meanwhile, weighed in with a handy 36 from 20.

Abbott later completed telling figures of 3-24 in four tight overs, as New Zealand’s Aces were limited to an insufficient 170-5. Wrist-spinner Ingram took 1-16 in two.

‘I really enjoyed it out there. Delport set the tone with some early boundaries. Abbott bowled beautifully with the new ball and came back at the death to nail his yorkers,’ said Ingram, who was named Player of the Match.

The Boost Defenders have also been pooled with South Africa’s Titans in the inaugural three-day tournament, which features Pakistan’s Lahore Qalandars, Australia’s Hobart Hurricanes and England’s Yorkshire Vikings as well.

‘The Titans look strong, but a win against them would boost our morale,’ added Ingram.

Ingram, Delport and Abbott are unavailable to the Proteas, after signing Kolpak contracts.