Desert Vipers vs MI Emirates ILT2O

Desert Vipers vs MI Emirates ILT2O Desert Vipers defeat MI Emirates by 46 runs in the ILT20 match. Read the full match

The Dubai International Cricket Stadium witnessed a crowning moment in UAE franchise cricket history last night as the Desert Vipers clinched their maiden International League T20 (ILT20) title. In a final that promised fireworks, the Vipers delivered a clinical all-round performance to dismantle the star-studded MI Emirates by 46 runs.

Led by an inspirational knock from Sam Curran and a disciplined bowling effort, the Vipers defended a total of 182 with ruthless efficiency, burying the ghosts of previous seasons to stand tall as the champions of Season.

Vipers Batting: Curran and Holden Architect the Total

Asked to bat first on a surface that looked conducive to stroke-play, the Desert Vipers needed a solid platform. The openers, Fakhar Zaman and Jason Roy, provided a fiery but brief start. Zaman looked dangerous, striking the ball cleanly for his 20 runs off 15 balls, while Roy chipped in with a brisk 11 off 7 deliveries. However, the MI Emirates bowlers, led by Fazalhaq Farooqi, struck back early, removing both openers inside the powerplay to leave the Vipers precariously placed at 36/2.

It was here that the match found its defining partnership. Max Holden joined forces with Sam Curran, and the duo set about rebuilding the innings with a mix of caution and calculated aggression. Holden, known for his ability to find gaps, anchored one end, rotating the strike beautifully to score a valuable 41 off 32 balls. His innings ensured that the run rate never dipped below manageable levels.

On the other end, Sam Curran played the innings of the final. The all-rounder promoted himself up the order and took charge of the situation. He was particularly severe on the spinners, using his feet to disrupt their lengths. Curran remained unbeaten, smashing a match-winning 74 off 51 balls*. His knock included crisp drives through the covers and powerful pulls over the mid-wicket fence.

A late cameo from Dan Lawrence, who blasted 23 runs off just 15 balls, provided the finishing kick the Vipers needed. They posted a competitive total of 182/4 in 20 overs, a score that would require a record chase in a final to overhaul.

MI Emirates Chase: The Pressure Cooker

Chasing 183 for the trophy, the MI Emirates needed a flying start, and they got one courtesy of Muhammad Waseem. The UAE skipper came out swinging, scoring a rapid 26 off 13 balls, punishing the Vipers’ pacers. But his aggression led to his downfall in the fourth over, sparking a slide that the Emirates would struggle to arrest.

Andre Fletcher (10 off 11) and Tom Banton (7 off 6) fell cheaply, unable to cope with the moving ball. The Vipers’ seamers, particularly David Payne, bowled with immaculate lines, refusing to give any width. By the end of the powerplay, MI Emirates were behind the required rate and losing wickets at regular intervals.

The middle order, featuring the experienced Shakib Al Hasan and Kieron Pollard, tried to stabilize the ship. Shakib fought hard for his 36 off 27 balls, trying to inject momentum into the chase. However, the Vipers’ bowlers tightened the noose in the middle overs. Pollard, usually the man for such crises, struggled to find his timing against the variations of the Vipers’ attack. He labored to 28 off 28 balls, an uncharacteristic inning that highlighted the pressure exerted by the fielding side.

The Collapse and Victory

As the required run rate climbed above 14 runs per over, the MI Emirates batting lineup crumbled. The pressure to hit boundaries resulted in a flurry of wickets. David Payne was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with stellar figures of 3/42, breaking the back of the chase. He was ably supported by Khuzaima Tanveer (2/22), whose disciplined spell in the middle overs denied the batters any breathing space.

The tail failed to wag, with Romario Shepherd (1) and Allah Ghazanfar (0) departing quickly. The MI Emirates were eventually bowled out for 136 in 18.3 overs, falling short by a massive 46 runs.