Desert Vipers Vs MI Emirates Match Scorecard
The Desert Vipers Vs MI Emirates Match Scorecard from the International League T20 (ILT20) 2025–26 season records a memorable final played on January 4, 2026, at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Desert Vipers produced a powerful batting performance, scoring 182/4 in 20 overs, before bowling out MI Emirates for 136 in 18.3 overs to win by 46 runs.
Sam Curran was the standout performer for Desert Vipers, scoring an unbeaten 74 from 51 balls. Max Holden contributed 41 runs, while Dan Lawrence added 23. MI Emirates struggled to build consistent partnerships during the chase, despite Shakib Al Hasan scoring 36 and Kieron Pollard contributing 28. Desert Vipers combined effective batting with timely wickets to secure the championship.
Match Summary
The ILT20 final brought together two competitive teams for the tournament’s most important match. MI Emirates won the toss and elected to bowl, hoping to restrict Desert Vipers to a manageable total. The decision initially appeared promising when the Vipers lost both opening batters early, but Sam Curran and Max Holden rebuilt the innings.
Curran’s unbeaten half-century helped Desert Vipers reach 182/4. MI Emirates needed 183 runs to win the final, but its chase lost momentum as wickets fell regularly. Naseem Shah, David Payne, Khuzaima Bin Tanveer and Usman Tariq made important contributions with the ball for Desert Vipers.
| Match Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | International League T20 2025–26 |
| Match | Final |
| Teams | Desert Vipers vs MI Emirates |
| Date | January 4, 2026 |
| Venue | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| Toss | MI Emirates elected to field |
| Desert Vipers | 182/4 in 20 overs |
| MI Emirates | 136 all out in 18.3 overs |
| Result | Desert Vipers won by 46 runs |
| Player of the Match | Sam Curran |
Desert Vipers Batting Scorecard
Desert Vipers recovered from an early setback to post a competitive total. Fakhar Zaman scored 20 from 15 balls, while Jason Roy made 11 from seven deliveries. Both openers were dismissed early, leaving the Vipers needing a partnership to stabilise their innings.
Max Holden responded with 41 runs from 32 balls. His partnership with captain Sam Curran helped the team rebuild and prepare for a strong finish. Curran remained unbeaten on 74 from 51 deliveries, striking eight fours and two sixes. Dan Lawrence added 23 from 15 balls before being run out late in the innings.
Desert Vipers Batting Table
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fakhar Zaman | 20 | 15 | 2 | 1 |
| Jason Roy | 11 | 7 | 2 | 0 |
| Max Holden | 41 | 32 | 2 | 1 |
| Sam Curran | 74* | 51 | 8 | 2 |
| Dan Lawrence | 23 | 15 | 1 | 1 |
| Extras | 13 | — | — | — |
| Total | 182/4 | 20 overs |
The innings was defined by Curran’s composure and ability to accelerate when needed. After losing two wickets for 36 runs, Desert Vipers needed a substantial partnership to recover. Holden and Curran supplied that stability, and Lawrence’s contribution helped the team reach 182.
Curran’s unbeaten 74 was particularly valuable in a final. He combined sensible shot selection with timely boundary hitting, ensuring that Desert Vipers had enough runs to put pressure on the opposition.
MI Emirates Bowling Scorecard
MI Emirates began the match with the aim of taking early wickets, and Fazalhaq Farooqi delivered by dismissing both opening batters. Arab Gul Momand also claimed a wicket by removing Max Holden. However, the bowling attack could not stop Curran from building a match-defining innings.
MI Emirates Bowling Figures
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shakib Al Hasan | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| Allah Ghazanfar | 4 | 27 | 0 |
| Muhammad Rohid Khan | 2 | 23 | 0 |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | 4 | 33 | 2 |
| Tajinder Singh | 3 | 27 | 0 |
| Romario Shepherd | 3 | 35 | 0 |
| Kieron Pollard | 1 | 11 | 0 |
| Arab Gul Momand | 2 | 14 | 1 |
Farooqi’s two wickets gave MI Emirates a promising start, but the team could not maintain the same pressure throughout the innings. Holden and Curran built a crucial partnership, while Lawrence added late runs. The Vipers’ final total of 182 proved difficult to chase under the pressure of a championship match.
MI Emirates Batting Scorecard
MI Emirates needed 183 runs to win the final but struggled to establish a stable opening partnership. Early dismissals left the team under pressure, and the required run rate became more challenging as wickets continued to fall.
Shakib Al Hasan was the top scorer for MI Emirates with 36 runs from 27 balls. Kieron Pollard contributed 28 from 28 deliveries, while Tajinder Singh scored 12 from eight balls. Arab Gul Momand finished unbeaten on five from two balls, but the lower order could not complete the chase.
MI Emirates Batting Table
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shakib Al Hasan | 36 | 27 | 3 | 0 |
| Kieron Pollard | 28 | 28 | 2 | 0 |
| Tajinder Singh | 12 | 8 | 1 | 1 |
| Romario Shepherd | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Allah Ghazanfar | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Arab Gul Momand | 5* | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Muhammad Rohid Khan | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Other batters | Contributed to the innings total | — | — | — |
| Total | 136 all out | 18.3 overs |
Shakib’s innings gave MI Emirates some stability, but the team lost wickets at regular intervals. Pollard attempted to keep the chase moving, yet the required scoring rate and the pressure of the final made the task increasingly difficult. Desert Vipers’ bowlers capitalised on the situation and eventually dismissed the entire batting side for 136.
Desert Vipers Bowling Scorecard
Desert Vipers’ bowling performance was a major factor in the victory. Naseem Shah took three wickets for 18 runs in four overs, while David Payne also claimed three wickets. Khuzaima Bin Tanveer and Usman Tariq picked up two wickets apiece.
The bowling attack combined wicket-taking ability with control during the middle overs. The early breakthroughs disrupted MI Emirates’ chase, and the continued loss of wickets prevented the batting side from building a late partnership.
Desert Vipers Bowling Figures
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Payne | 4 | 42 | 3 |
| Khuzaima Bin Tanveer | 3.3 | 22 | 2 |
| Naseem Shah | 4 | 18 | 3 |
| Sam Curran | 2 | 24 | 0 |
| Dan Lawrence | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| Usman Tariq | 4 | 20 | 2 |
Naseem Shah was particularly economical, conceding only 18 runs while taking three wickets. Payne also removed important batters, although he conceded more runs. Tanveer and Tariq supported the attack by taking two wickets each, ensuring that MI Emirates could not recover from its difficult start.
Fall of Wickets and Match Progress
Desert Vipers lost two early wickets at 35 and 36, but Holden and Curran rebuilt the innings. Holden was dismissed at 125, and Lawrence’s run-out came at the end of the innings as Desert Vipers finished on 182/4.
MI Emirates’ chase was less stable. The team lost wickets at regular intervals and was eventually bowled out for 136 in 18.3 overs. Shakib and Pollard offered resistance, but neither could carry the innings through to a successful finish.
The main difference between the innings was the ability to maintain partnerships. Desert Vipers recovered after early wickets and finished with a competitive total. MI Emirates could not produce a similar recovery during its chase.
Key Highlights of the Match
- Desert Vipers scored 182/4 in 20 overs.
- Sam Curran scored an unbeaten 74 from 51 balls.
- Max Holden contributed 41 runs from 32 deliveries.
- MI Emirates were bowled out for 136 in 18.3 overs.
- Shakib Al Hasan was MI Emirates’ top scorer with 36 runs.
- Naseem Shah took three wickets for 18 runs.
- David Payne also claimed three wickets.
- Desert Vipers won the final by 46 runs.
- Sam Curran was named Player of the Match.
- Desert Vipers won the ILT20 Season 4 championship.
Turning Points of the Match
Sam Curran’s unbeaten innings
Curran’s 74 not out was the defining batting performance of the final. He kept the innings together after the early loss of wickets and then helped Desert Vipers finish with a challenging total. His eight fours and two sixes demonstrated his ability to combine control with attacking cricket.
The partnership with Max Holden
Holden’s 41 runs were essential to the recovery. The partnership between Holden and Curran restored stability after the opening wickets and moved the score forward during the middle overs. Without this stand, Desert Vipers might have struggled to reach 180.
Early wickets in the MI Emirates chase
MI Emirates needed a strong start to chase 183, but wickets fell before the team could build momentum. The early setbacks increased the pressure on the middle order and made the target harder to reach.
Naseem Shah’s bowling spell
Naseem Shah’s three wickets for 18 runs were central to Desert Vipers’ defence. His ability to take wickets while limiting scoring opportunities prevented MI Emirates from building a match-winning partnership.
Match Analysis
The final highlighted the importance of recovery and partnerships in T20 cricket. Desert Vipers lost both openers early but did not allow the innings to collapse. Curran and Holden rebuilt the innings, and Lawrence contributed enough runs to help the team finish at 182/4.
MI Emirates had the challenge of chasing a demanding total in a high-pressure final. Although Shakib and Pollard made useful contributions, the team could not maintain the required scoring rate after losing wickets. The Vipers’ bowling attack took advantage of the pressure and ensured that the chase never developed into a sustained threat.
The result reflected a balanced team performance. Curran led the batting effort, while Naseem Shah, David Payne, Tanveer and Tariq made important contributions with the ball. Their combined efforts helped Desert Vipers secure the trophy with a convincing 46-run win.
Conclusion
The Desert Vipers Vs MI Emirates Match Scorecard records a memorable ILT20 2025–26 final. Desert Vipers scored 182/4, led by Sam Curran’s unbeaten 74 and Max Holden’s 41. MI Emirates were bowled out for 136 in 18.3 overs, with Shakib Al Hasan scoring 36. Naseem Shah and David Payne took three wickets each, helping Desert Vipers win by 46 runs and claim the championship. Curran’s all-round contribution and leadership made him the standout performer of the final.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Desert Vipers vs MI Emirates final?
Desert Vipers won the ILT20 2025–26 final by 46 runs. They scored 182/4 and bowled out MI Emirates for 136.
What was Desert Vipers’ score in the final?
Desert Vipers scored 182 runs for four wickets in 20 overs, setting a target of 183 for MI Emirates.
Who was Player of the Match?
Sam Curran was named Player of the Match after scoring an unbeaten 74 from 51 balls.
Who was the highest scorer for MI Emirates?
Shakib Al Hasan was the top scorer for MI Emirates with 36 runs from 27 balls.
How many wickets did Naseem Shah take?
Naseem Shah took three wickets for 18 runs in four overs, helping Desert Vipers defend their total and win the final.
Post Comment