The “Ring of Fire” at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium bore witness to history on Sunday night, January 4, 2026, as the Desert Vipers outclassed MI Emirates by 46 runs to lift their first-ever International League T20 (ILT20) trophy. In a season defined by relentless consistency and tactical brilliance, the Vipers finally shed their “finalists but not winners” tag, led by a heroic captain’s knock from Sam Curran.
The victory was more than just a win; it was a redemption story. After failing at the final hurdle in previous editions, the Vipers entered this match as the team to beat, having finished at the top of the table. Their performance in the final was a testament to that dominance.
The First Innings: Curran Leads the Charge
MI Emirates won the toss and elected to bowl, a decision that initially seemed inspired. The surface appeared to offer some early assistance to the seamers, and Fazalhaq Farooqi capitalized immediately. He struck early, removing the dangerous Jason Roy (11) and the in-form Fakhar Zaman (20) within the powerplay. At 36/2, the Vipers were wobbling, and the Emirates fans were in full voice.
However, the game shifted when skipper Sam Curran joined Max Holden. The pair showed immense maturity, weathering the initial storm before shifting gears. They stitched together a crucial 89-run partnership that served as the backbone of the innings. While Holden played a steady hand with a composed 41 off 32 balls, ensuring the scoreboard kept ticking, Curran was the primary aggressor.
The England all-rounder played a magnificent unbeaten knock of 74 from 51 deliveries, peppered with 8 boundaries and 2 sixes. He targeted the gaps with surgical precision and cleared the ropes with ease during the death overs. Late cameos from Dan Lawrence (23 off 15) ensured the Vipers posted a formidable total of 182/4.
| Desert Vipers Batting Highlights | R | B | 4s | 6s |
| Sam Curran (not out) | 74 | 51 | 8 | 2 |
| Max Holden | 41 | 32 | 2 | 1 |
| Dan Lawrence | 23 | 15 | 1 | 1 |
The Chase: Emirates Stumble Under Pressure
Chasing 183 in a final is a mountainous task, and MI Emirates felt the weight of the occasion from the very first over. The Vipers’ bowling attack, which has been the best in the tournament, proved why they are so feared.
Naseem Shah was lethal with the new ball. He extracted pace and bounce from the Dubai deck, dismissing Andre Fletcher and Tom Banton early to leave the Emirates reeling. Though Muhammad Waseem threatened briefly with a quickfire 26 off 13, his departure left the chase in the hands of a pressured middle order.
Shakib Al Hasan (36) and captain Kieron Pollard (28) attempted to rebuild with a 50-run stand, but they couldn’t find the boundary frequently enough against the Vipers’ disciplined attack. Usman Tariq proved to be the game-changer in the middle overs, finishing with 2/20 and stifling the scoring rate just as the Emirates needed to accelerate.
The tail collapsed spectacularly under the pressure of David Payne, who finished with 3/42 despite some late hitting against him. MI Emirates were eventually bundled out for 136 in 18.3 overs, falling 46 runs short of the target.
| MI Emirates Batting Highlights | R | B | 4s | 6s |
| Shakib Al Hasan | 36 | 27 | 3 | 0 |
| Kieron Pollard | 28 | 28 | 2 | 0 |
| Muhammad Waseem | 26 | 13 | 3 | 1 |
Also Read: MI Emirates Storm into ILT20 Final: A Clinical Performance in Qualifier 2
Post-Match Awards & Legacy
The presentation ceremony was essentially a Sam Curran highlight reel. Not only did he lead his team to the title, but he also swept the individual honors, winning the Red Belt (MVP) and the Green Belt (Best Batter) for his 397 runs throughout the tournament.
The Vipers’ bowling was equally rewarded in the hearts of the fans, with Naseem Shah’s opening spell (3/18) being hailed as the defensive masterstroke of the match.
- Winners: Desert Vipers ($700,000 & the Black Belt)
- Runners-up: MI Emirates ($300,000)
- Player of the Match: Sam Curran
- Blue Belt (Best UAE Player): Muhammad Waseem
Final Scorecard Summary
| Team | Score | Top Performer |
| Desert Vipers | 182/4 (20 ov) | Sam Curran 74* (51) |
| MI Emirates | 136/10 (18.3 ov) | Naseem Shah 3/18 |
Result: Desert Vipers won by 46 runs.
With this victory, the Desert Vipers have established themselves as a powerhouse in franchise cricket. For MI Emirates, it was a case of “so close yet so far,” as they were unable to overcome a Vipers side that looked destined for glory from the first ball of the tournament. The Vipers now stand as the kings of the desert.
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