DUBAI: The Desert Vipers secured qualification for the International League T20 playoffs after an impressive five-wicket victory over Dubai Capitals at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, becoming the first team in the competition’s history to register six consecutive wins.
Chasing 167, the Vipers were guided home by an outstanding all-round display from Sam Curran, who followed up two key wickets with an unbeaten 52 off 33 balls to clinch the chase with five wickets and several deliveries to spare.
The Capitals had earlier posted a competitive 166 for 4 after recovering from early setbacks. Naseem Shah struck in the third over to remove Shayan Jahangir, but Leus du Plooy anchored the innings with a composed 54 off 44 balls. Gulbadin Naib added 21 before Noor Ahmad dismissed him with a well-disguised googly to halt the momentum.
The decisive moment came in the 14th over when Curran removed du Plooy in the deep and then dismissed Rovman Powell for a golden duck with the very next delivery, leaving the Capitals stalled at 94 for 4. A late surge from Jordan Cox, who finished unbeaten on 49, and skipper Dasun Shanaka, who made 29 not out, lifted the hosts to a defendable total, with 72 runs added in the final six overs.
In reply, Max Holden set the tone with a brisk 34, ensuring the Vipers reached 50 for 1 at the end of the powerplay despite the early loss of Fakhar Zaman. Hassan Nawaz injected momentum in the middle overs with a rapid 31, before Curran and Dan Lawrence steadied the chase and kept the required rate firmly in check.
Although Lawrence and Shimron Hetmyer both fell, Curran remained composed at the crease, anchoring the innings and finding the boundary at key moments to guide the Vipers to victory and extend their unbeaten run.
Player of the match Curran said: “We’re in a good space after putting together a couple of strong performances, and for me, the real satisfaction comes from finishing the job for the team. It went a bit deeper than we would have liked, but my focus is always on reading the situation and seeing the game through.
He continued: “When you’re winning, it simplifies decision-making, but we know we still need to keep improving and carry this momentum into the business end.”
Dubai Capitals captain Shanaka said his side had fallen just short.
“At 166, we had a competitive total, especially considering the quality of their bowling. However, our spinners didn’t hit the lengths we were looking for, and that made a difference,” he said.
“We had the firepower, but in hindsight, another 10 to 15 runs would have put us in a much stronger position,” he added.
The Vipers also used the fixture to highlight environmental awareness, wearing a special jersey featuring ‘Biodiversity Stripes’ made in the UAE from 100 percent recycled materials, as part of wider efforts to promote sustainability and biodiversity conservation.
