DUBAI: The Desert Vipers claimed their maiden International League T20 crown on Sunday night after a commanding 46-run victory over the MI Emirates at a packed Dubai International Stadium.
Led by skipper Sam Curran’s unbeaten 74, the Vipers posted an imposing 182 for four before producing a disciplined bowling display to dismiss the MI Emirates for 136 in 18.3 overs.
The triumph earned the Vipers $700,000 and the Black Belt trophy, while the MI Emirates collected $300,000.
Curran’s match-winning knock came off 51 balls with eight fours and two sixes. He was well supported by Max Holden (41 off 32) and Dan Lawrence (23 off 15), whose late acceleration ensured a strong finish.
David Payne led the bowling effort with three for 42, while Naseem Shah (3/18), Usman Tariq (2/20) and Khuzaima Tanveer (2/22) kept the MI Emirates under constant pressure.
The final was preceded by a vibrant pre-match spectacle, with fireworks and a drone show lighting up the Dubai skyline.
Curran capped a standout tournament by finishing with both the Red Belt (Most Valuable Player) and the Green Belt (Best Batter). He ended the season with 397 runs, three half-centuries, seven wickets and 10 catches.
The MI Emirates’ chase faltered early as Shah struck twice in the powerplay, removing Andre Fletcher (10 off 11) and Tom Banton (7 off 6). Khuzaima Tanveer then claimed the key wicket of Muhammad Waseem (26 off 13), leaving the MI Emirates 46 for three inside six overs.
Usman Tariq further tightened the screws by dismissing Sanjay Krishnamurthi (2 off 9), while Shakib Al-Hasan (36 off 27) and Kieron Pollard (28 off 27) struggled to generate momentum. Although the pair added 50 runs, Tariq’s removal of Al-Hasan left the MI Emirates needing 61 from the final four overs.
Any remaining hopes were extinguished when Naseem removed Pollard before Payne ripped through the lower order, taking three wickets in the 18th over. Khuzaima sealed the title by bowling Muhammad Rohid (3 off 4), with the Vipers completing victory with nine balls to spare.
Earlier, the Vipers made a brisk start through Fakhar Zaman (20 off 15) and Jason Roy (11 off 7) before Fazalhaq Farooqi struck twice to remove both openers. Curran responded decisively, driving the Vipers to 59 for two at the end of the powerplay.
A fluent partnership with Holden steadied the innings, the pair adding 89 runs before Holden fell in the 15th over. Curran brought up his half-century off 39 balls and, alongside Lawrence, added 57 runs in the final stages to lift the Vipers to a match-winning total.
The Dubai Capitals’ Waqar Salamkheil claimed the White Belt for Best Bowler with 18 wickets, while the MI Emirates’ Waseem won the Blue Belt for Best UAE Player for the fourth consecutive season. Each belt winner received $15,000.
Player of the Match Curran said: “I was nervous coming into the final, but the players, management and owners have been outstanding. Losing (Andries) Gous in the warm-up tested us, but it showed the strength of our group.
“MI are a quality side, but over the season we’ve been the most consistent team and deserved the trophy.”
The MI Emirates’ skipper Pollard added: “It went wrong in the field. In finals, those moments matter. I felt 180 was chaseable, but losing early wickets hurt us. The Vipers deserved to win, though, and overall it’s been a fantastic tournament for us.”
