Desert Vipers clinched the ILT20 title on Sunday, defeating MI Emirates by 46 runs at the Dubai Cricket Stadium in a decisive final. This victory marked a significant turnaround for the Vipers, who had previously stumbled in two earlier finals but emerged triumphant in their third attempt. Throughout the season, the Vipers demonstrated remarkable consistency, suffering only two losses in ten matches, and dominated MI Emirates in the knockout stage with a decisive 45-run win in Qualifier 1.
As the final approached, Desert Vipers faced a formidable opponent in MI Emirates, a team led by the experienced Kieron Pollard. The toss favored MI Emirates, who opted to field, despite the historical trend of second innings success at the venue. The absence of Andries Gous, who scored an impressive 120 runs in the Qualifier, due to a calf injury did not deter the Vipers’ resolve.
Desert Vipers understood the importance of posting a substantial total, especially considering that teams batting first had averaged around 154 runs this season. The biggest total recorded was 186 by Dubai Capitals, showcasing the potential for a strong performance. Early in their innings, Fakhar Zaman and Jason Roy signaled their intent with aggressive batting. However, both were dismissed quickly, putting pressure on captain Sam Curran, who had taken over leadership duties this season.
Pollard acknowledged Curran’s leadership during a pre-match discussion, highlighting the pressure that comes with such a pivotal role. Curran had been a standout performer throughout the tournament, scoring 323 runs in 11 matches, and he needed to fulfill his role effectively at this crucial juncture. Despite a shaky start, where he didn’t score in his first five balls, Curran found his rhythm, hitting four boundaries in quick succession.
His innings steadied the Vipers, who had slipped to 36 for 2 early on but rallied to post a strong total of 182 for 4. Curran ended the inning unbeaten on 74 from 51 balls, not a flashy performance but crucial enough to anchor the innings. Support from Jason Holder, who scored 41, and MI Emirates conceding 11 wides helped prop up the Vipers’ score.
When it was the Vipers’ turn to bowl, Curran faced early challenges, conceding 24 runs in his first two overs. However, his teammates rose to the occasion, with David Payne and Naseem Shah both claiming three wickets, while Usman Tariq added two. MI Emirates, chasing a target of 183, faltered, eventually crumbling to 136 all out in 18.3 overs. Shakib Al Hasan was the top scorer for MI Emirates with just 36 runs.
As the last wicket fell, Curran celebrated alongside his teammates, earning accolades as Player of the Match and securing both the Green Belt and Red Belt for the second consecutive year. This victory not only marked a historic moment for Desert Vipers but also underscored their growth and resilience as a team.
In summary, Desert Vipers’ victory in the ILT20 final highlights their transformation into a dominant force in the league, effectively overcoming past disappointments and showcasing their prowess throughout the tournament.
Brief Scores: Desert Vipers 182 for 4 (Sam Curran 74*, Jason Holder 41; Fazalhaq Farooqi 2/33) defeated MI Emirates 136 all out (Shakib Al Hasan 36; Naseem Shah 3/18, David Payne 3/42).
Original Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/third-time-is-a-charm-sam-curran-leads-desert-vipers-to-maiden-ilt20-title/articleshow/126339315.cms
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Publish Date: 2026-01-05 01:06:00
