Sam Curran Leads Desert Vipers to Historic ILT20 Triumph
Desert Vipers finally scripted history in the ILT20 Final as captain Sam Curran delivered a memorable all-round leadership performance to guide his team to their maiden ILT20 title. The Vipers defeated defending champions MI Emirates by 46 runs at Dubai, ending years of near-misses and heartbreak in finals.
After losing two previous title clashes, this victory marked a defining moment for the franchise and underlined why Desert Vipers have been the most consistent side of the season.
Sam Curran Anchors the Innings with Composed 74
Batting first in the high-pressure final, Desert Vipers posted a competitive 182 for 4 in 20 overs. Skipper Sam Curran stood tall with an unbeaten 74 off 51 balls, playing the perfect anchor role while keeping the scoreboard ticking.
Key contributions with the bat included:
Sam Curran: 74 (51 balls)
Max Holden: 41 (32 balls)
Dan Lawrence: 23 (15 balls)
The Vipers got an aggressive start through Fakhar Zaman and Jason Roy, but MI Emirates pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi struck twice to slow the momentum. At that stage, Curran took complete control, rotating the strike smartly and finding boundaries at crucial intervals.
A strong finish, with 46 runs in the final four overs, pushed the total beyond the 180-mark — a turning point in the match.
Bowlers Dominate as MI Emirates Collapse
Defending 183, Desert Vipers’ bowlers delivered a clinical performance. Naseem Shah set the tone early with sharp pace and movement, picking up 3 wickets for just 18 runs. His early breakthroughs ensured MI Emirates never settled into the chase.
Bowling highlights for Desert Vipers:
Naseem Shah: 3/18
David Payne: 3/42
Usman Tariq: 2/20
Wickets fell regularly, and pressure mounted with every over. MI Emirates struggled to build partnerships, losing key batters inside the powerplay.
MI Emirates Fall Short in the Chase
MI Emirates’ chase of 183 never gained momentum. Early intent from Muhammad Waseem and Andre Fletcher was short-lived, as the scoreboard read 46 for 3 inside six overs. Experienced campaigners Shakib Al Hasan (36) and Kieron Pollard attempted a rescue act, but the rising required run rate proved too much.
Once Shakib and Pollard were dismissed, the innings collapsed dramatically. MI Emirates lost their last six wickets for just 22 runs and were bowled out for 136 in 18.3 overs.
A Historic Night for Desert Vipers
The final wicket triggered emotional celebrations as Desert Vipers lifted their first-ever ILT20 trophy. Captain Sam Curran was rightly praised for his calm leadership and match-defining knock, proving why he is among the most valuable all-rounders in modern T20 cricket.
With this win, ILT20 continues its unique trend of producing a new champion every season, reinforcing the league’s growing competitiveness and global appeal.
For Desert Vipers, this victory was not just a title — it was redemption, resilience, and reward for consistency.
