Sam Curran and Naseem Shah powered Desert Vipers to the ILT20’s title victory in the final against MI Emirates in Dubai on Sunday.
EMIRATES' INNINGS
Chasing a staggering 183-run in the final, the Emirates were skittled out for 136 inside the 19th over, paving the way for the Vipers to win the tournament with a lopsided 46-run victory.
Only three batters, Muhammad Waseem (26), Shakib Al Hasan (36) and Kieron Pollard had shown some resistance with the bat.
The wicket of Andre Fletcher started a slide and it went downhill thereafter quickly.
For the Vipers, Naseem Shah (3-18) and David Payne (3-42) took three wickets apiece. Usman Tariq (2-20) and Khuzaima Tanveer (2-22) picked up two wickets apiece.
FAZ🔥🔥L#OneFamily #MIEmirates #DVvMIE pic.twitter.com/jsYSbM5SSr
— MI Emirates (@MIEmirates) January 4, 2026
VIPERS' INNINGS
The Emirates invited the Vipers for the batting first. The Vipers off to a blazing start, but lost Jason Roy on 7-ball 11, who smashed two boundaries. Fakhar Zaman was looking good on 15-ball 20, before he was removed by Fazalhaq Farooqi. He clobbered two boundaries and one six.
Max Holden was brilliant with his 32-ball 41, lacing with two boundaries and one six, before he was removed by Arab Gul.
The highlight of the Vipers’ innings was the fiery and unbeaten innings from their captain, Sam Curran, who compiled 51-ball 74, whacking eight boundaries and two towering sixes. He was ably supported by Dan Lawrence, who scored 15-ball 23, clobbering one six and one boundary.
The brilliance from the skipper’s willow steered the Vipers to a match-winning 182-4. For the Emirates, there was nothing special with the bowl, with the exception of Fazalhaq Farooqi and Arab Gul. Farooqi (2-33) picked up two wickets. Arab Gul (1-14) took a scalp.
It is pertinent to note that Desert Vipers captain Sam Curran was named player of the match and player of the series for his all-round prowess. He compiled 397 runs and took seven wickets in the tournament.
Vipers Aura 😎✨#DVvMIE #DesertVipers #FangsOut pic.twitter.com/XWsrIEmsHA
— Desert Vipers (@TheDesertVipers) January 4, 2026
