The Desert Vipers have once again demonstrated their dominance in the ILT20 2025-26, completing a flawless run in the league stage by securing their sixth consecutive win. On Sunday, 14 December, they convincingly chased down 167 set by the Dubai Capitals, clinching a five-wicket victory with just a delivery to spare. England’s Sam Curran stole the show with a match-winning all-round performance, scoring a rapid fifty and claiming crucial wickets.
The Dubai Capitals’ innings started shakily, losing Shayan Jahangir to Naseem Shah in the third over. The Vipers’ pacers applied relentless pressure, limiting the opposition to 35/1 in the powerplay. Afghanistan’s Gulbadin Naib and South African Leus du Plooy stitched together a 39-run partnership, stabilising the innings, before Noor Ahmad struck to dismiss Naib. At the halfway stage, the Capitals were 68/2 and required a strong acceleration in the second half.
Du Plooy showcased his big-hitting ability, racing to a 38-ball fifty with two fours off Lockie Ferguson and a towering six off Naseem Shah. Curran, however, swung the game decisively in Vipers’ favour with a brilliant double-wicket over that removed du Plooy and Rovman Powell in consecutive balls. Despite a late flourish from Jordan Cox and Dasun Shanaka, who shared an unbeaten 72-run partnership, the Capitals managed a total of 166/4 in 20 overs.
The Vipers responded aggressively in their innings, led by Max Holden who struck six boundaries in the powerplay. Fakhar Zaman fell to Mustafizur Rahman in the fifth over, but the Vipers still reached 50 inside six overs. The team endured a mid-innings wobble as Holden (34) and Hasan Nawaz fell, leaving the score at 88/3 after ten overs. Dan Lawrence and Curran rebuilt the innings with a 32-run stand, keeping the chase within reach.
In the final overs, Shimron Hetmyer added momentum with boundaries, though he was eventually dismissed by Dasun Shanaka. Curran took centre stage, scoring critical fours and a match-sealing six off the fourth ball of the final over, completing a 33-ball fifty. This emphatic win not only keeps the Vipers unbeaten but also secures their playoff position well in advance, highlighting their credentials as one of the favourites to lift the ILT20 trophy this season.
Brief Scores:
Dubai Capitals 166/4 in 20 overs (Leus du Plooy 54, Jordan Cox 49*; Sam Curran 2-17) lost to Desert Vipers 171/5 in 19.4 overs (Sam Curran 52*, Max Holden 34; Dasun Shanaka 2-19) by 5 wickets.