In a story of third-time luck, the Desert Vipers finally claimed the coveted DP World International League T20 (ILT20) trophy on Sunday, 4 January 2026. They defeated the formidable MI Emirates by a convincing 46-run margin in a one-sided final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, shedding the ghosts of their two previous final defeats.
From Heartbreak to Triumph: A Season of Dominance
The Vipers' journey to the title was marked by sheer dominance throughout the season. They lost only two of their ten matches, showcasing remarkable consistency. Their authority was particularly evident against MI Emirates in the knockout stage, where they secured a 45-run win in Qualifier 1 before repeating the feat in the grand finale. This victory was especially sweet as they were up against a team led by the experienced Kieron Pollard, a champion in T20 leagues worldwide.
Curran's Captain's Knock Steadies the Ship
Winning the toss, MI Emirates opted to field, a decision backed by the venue's trend favouring chasing teams. The Vipers faced early setbacks, losing openers Fakhar Zaman and Jason Roy quickly to Fazalhaq Farooqi, leaving them at 36 for 2 in the fourth over. The situation was further complicated by the absence of in-form batter Andries Gous due to a calf injury.
Captain Sam Curran, who took over leadership duties this season, walked in at this critical juncture. After a cautious start, Curran played a calculated and pivotal innings. He blasted four consecutive boundaries to get going and later targeted Romario Shepherd for two sixes. His unbeaten 74 runs from 51 balls provided the backbone of the Vipers' innings. He was ably supported by Jason Holder's brisk 41, helping the team post a competitive total of 182 for 4 in their 20 overs.
Bowling Attack Seals the Deal in Style
Defending 182, the Desert Vipers' bowling unit delivered a clinical performance. The MI Emirates batting lineup, which had successfully chased in four of their previous five matches, crumbled under pressure. Pakistan's Naseem Shah was exceptional, taking 3 wickets for just 18 runs in his 3.3 overs, dismantling the middle order. Left-arm pacer David Payne provided crucial breakthroughs with figures of 3 for 42, while the tricky spin of Usman Tariq yielded 2 for 20.
MI Emirates were bundled out for 136 runs in just 18.3 overs, with Shakib Al Hasan's 36 being the only notable resistance. The comprehensive victory sparked wild celebrations in the Vipers' camp as they finally laid their hands on the trophy.
A Night of Accolades for Captain Curran
Sam Curran was deservedly crowned the Player of the Match for his match-defining knock. He also retained the Green Belt (for most runs) and the Red Belt (for most valuable player) for the second consecutive year, cementing his status as a premier T20 all-rounder. His leadership, which Pollard had praised before the final, proved to be a decisive factor in guiding the Vipers from perennial runners-up to champions.
Brief Scores: Desert Vipers 182/4 in 20 overs (Sam Curran 74*, Jason Holder 41; Fazalhaq Farooqi 2/33) beat MI Emirates 136 all out in 18.3 overs (Shakib Al Hasan 36; Naseem Shah 3/18, David Payne 3/42) by 46 runs.
