Third time proved the charm for the Desert Vipers as they clinched their maiden DP World ILT20 title with a commanding 46-run win over MI Emirates at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.
Fittingly, the long-awaited breakthrough was driven by skipper Sam Curran, whose all-round MVP performance capped a tournament in which he stood head and shoulders above the rest. After finishing runners-up in the previous two editions, the Vipers delivered a display that mirrored their season-long consistency. They lost just two matches in the league phase, carried that momentum into the playoffs with a comprehensive win over MI Emirates in Qualifier 1, and outplayed the same opponents again on the biggest stage.
Asked to bat first in the final, Desert Vipers posted a competitive 182 for 4, anchored by a composed and authoritative unbeaten 74 from Curran. The left-hander paced his innings expertly, striking eight fours and two sixes, controlling the middle overs before accelerating at the death. He received solid support from Max Holden (41 off 32 balls), while Fakhar Zaman provided early impetus and Dan Lawrence finished strongly with a late cameo. MI Emirates cycled through as many as eight bowlers, with Fazalhaq Farooqi emerging as the most successful.
Curran’s match-winning effort was emblematic of his influence throughout the season. He finished the tournament with 397 runs, including three half-centuries, along with seven wickets and 10 catches. The England all-rounder was duly rewarded with both the Red Belt for Most Valuable Player and the Green Belt for Best Batter — a rare double that underlined his central role in the Vipers’ title run.
Defending 182, the Vipers ensured there was little room for a comeback. Naseem Shah struck twice in the powerplay, while Khuzaima Tanveer and Usman Tariq applied sustained pressure through the middle overs. A brief partnership between Shakib Al Hasan and Kieron Pollard offered some resistance, but David Payne’s strikes through the lower order sealed the outcome as MI Emirates were bowled out for 136 in 18.3 overs.
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