Dubai: Naseem Shah’s disciplined bowling and skipper Sam Curran’s unbeaten half-century helped Desert Vipers win their maiden ILT20 title as they defeated MI Emirates by 46 runs in the final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Batting first, the Desert Vipers posted an exceptional unbeaten 74 off 51 balls with 8 fours and 2 sixes from Curran to post 182-4 in their allotted 20 overs.
Max Holden provided solid support with a 32-ball 41 including 2 fours and a six, while Faqar Zaman scored 20 off 15 balls with 2 fours and a six.
Don Lawrence scored 23 runs off 15 balls with a four and a six.
MI Emirates used eight bowlers in the final, with Fazalhaq Farooqi leading the attack claiming 2-33 from his four overs, while Aqeel Hossain picked up a wicket.
In reply, Emirates bowled out for 136 runs in 18.3 overs. Shakib Al Hasan top scored 36 off 27 balls with 3 fours.
Skipper Kieran Pollard added 28 runs with 2 fours off one ball, while opener Muhammad Wasim scored 26 runs off 13 balls with 3 fours and a six.
For Vipers, Naseem Shah and David Paine took three wickets each in their four overs. Kuzaima Tanveer and Usman Tariq took 2 wickets each.
Sam Curran-led Desert Vipers made their third ILT20 final appearance in four seasons and finally won the title for the first time.