The Desert Vipers clinched their first DP World ILT20 title with a commanding 46-run win over MI Emirates at a sold-out Dubai International Stadium on Sunday night, ending Season 4 of the tournament in emphatic fashion.
Historic first title
The victory earned the Desert Vipers a prize of USD 700,000 and the Black Belt, while MI Emirates finished runners-up and received USD 300,000. It marked the Vipers’ maiden championship in the league after a consistent campaign.
Curran leads batting
Captain Sam Curran anchored the Vipers’ innings with an unbeaten 74 off 51 balls, guiding his side to 182 for 4. He struck eight fours and two sixes and shared key partnerships with Max Holden, who scored 41 off 32 balls, and Dan Lawrence, who added 23 off 15 in the closing overs.
The Vipers reached 59 for 2 at the end of the powerplay after losing both openers in quick succession. Curran and Holden then rebuilt the innings, adding 89 runs for the third wicket before Lawrence helped accelerate the scoring late on.
Bowlers seal win
Defending 183, the Vipers’ bowlers applied early pressure. Naseem Shah removed Andre Fletcher and Tom Banton inside the first three overs, while Khuzaima Tanveer dismissed Muhammad Waseem to leave MI Emirates struggling at 46 for 3.
Usman Tariq and David Payne tightened the grip through the middle and late overs. Payne claimed three wickets in the 18th over to finish with figures of 3 for 42, as MI Emirates were bowled out for 136 in 18.3 overs. Naseem Shah led the attack with 3 for 18.
Shakib Al Hasan top-scored for MI Emirates with 36 off 27 balls, while Kieron Pollard contributed 28. Their partnership briefly raised hopes, but the required rate climbed sharply after Shakib’s dismissal, and the chase faded quickly.
Sam Curran capped a standout season by winning both the Red Belt for Most Valuable Player and the Green Belt for Best Batter. He finished the tournament with 397 runs, seven wickets and 10 catches.
The White Belt for Best Bowler went to Dubai Capitals’ Waqar Salamkheil, who claimed 18 wickets in the season. MI Emirates’ Muhammad Waseem received the Blue Belt for Best UAE Player for the fourth consecutive year after scoring 370 runs. Each belt winner received USD 15,000.
Final night spectacle
Fans at the Dubai International Stadium were also treated to a fireworks display and drone show before the match, creating a festive atmosphere ahead of the season’s final showdown.
Brief scores:
Desert Vipers 182/4 in 20 overs
MI Emirates 136 all out in 18.3 overs
Desert Vipers won by 46 runs
Player of the match: Sam Curran
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
