Dubai, UAE – The Desert Vipers, led by captain Sam Curran, secured their first-ever International League T20 (ILT20) title on January 4, 2026. The Vipers defeated MI Emirates by 46 runs in a dominant performance at the Dubai International Stadium. This victory marked a significant moment for the franchise, which had previously lost two ILT20 finals. ^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]}### Curran's Captain's Knock Anchors Vipers' Innings Batting first in the high-stakes final, Desert Vipers posted a challenging total of 182 runs for four wickets in their allotted 20 overs. S^{[1][2][3][4][8][9]}am Curran played a pivotal role, remaining unbeaten with a crucial 74 runs off 51 balls. His innings included eight boundaries and two sixes, providing stability after early wickets. ^{[2][3][4][8][9]}The Vipers had a quick start from openers Fakhar Zaman and Jason Roy, who contributed to 34 runs in the first three overs. H^[3][9]owever, MI Emirates pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi struck twice in the fourth over, dismissing both openers. C^[1][3][9]urran then took control, building an 89-run partnership for the third wicket with Max Holden, who scored 41 runs off 32 balls. D^[4][8][9]an Lawrence provided a strong finish, adding 23 runs off 15 balls in a 57-run stand with Curran, pushing the Vipers past the 180-run mark. ^[3][8][9]### Dominant Bowling Effort Seals Victory Chasing 183 for the title, MI Emirates struggled to build momentum and lost wickets regularly. T^[3][4][9]hey were eventually bowled out for 136 runs in 18.3 overs, resulting in a 46-run victory for the Desert Vipers. ^{[1][2][3][4][8][5][9]}The Vipers' bowling attack was clinical, with Pakistani pacer Naseem Shah leading the charge. Shah claimed three wickets for just 18 runs in his four overs. U^[3][4][7][9]sman Tariq also contributed significantly, taking two wickets for 20 runs while maintaining tight control in the middle overs. D^[3][4][9]avid Payne added to the pressure with three wickets for 42 runs, including a decisive over that saw three dismissals. T^[3][4][9]he collective bowling effort ensured MI Emirates never recovered from their early setbacks. ^[1][7]### Third Time Lucky for the Desert Vipers This maiden ILT20 title was particularly sweet for the Desert Vipers, who had reached the final in two previous seasons but failed to win. T^{[1][3][4][10][6][11][12][7]}hey were runners-up in the inaugural 2023 season, losing to Gulf Giants. T^{[13][6][11][12]}he Vipers also made it to the final in the 2025 season (the third edition of the tournament), where they were defeated by Dubai Capitals. T^{[14][13][6][11][12]}he "third time is a charm" narrative resonated strongly with the team and its fans. ^[3][4]The ILT20 has maintained a unique trend of crowning a new champion each season since its inception. G^{[1][3][4][13][6]}ulf Giants won in 2023, MI Emirates in 2024, and Dubai Capitals in 2025. T^[13][6]he Desert Vipers' win in the 2025-26 season (the fourth edition) continues this pattern, highlighting the league's competitive nature. ^[5][6][15]### Curran's All-Round Brilliance Recognized Sam Curran's exceptional performance in the final earned him the Player of the Match award. B^[2]eyond his match-winning knock, Curran was also named the Player of the Tournament for his outstanding all-round contributions throughout the ILT20 2025-26 season. H^[5][15]e finished as the leading run-scorer in the tournament, accumulating 397 runs. ^[8][5][15]The Desert Vipers' triumph comes with a significant reward, as the team took home the prize money of USD 700,000. T^[2][9]his victory is a testament to the team's consistency and leadership, particularly under Curran's captaincy. T^[1][2][10]he team's blend of international stars and emerging talents, including players like Naseem Shah and Max Holden, proved crucial in their maiden title run. ^[10][11]The Desert Vipers' long-awaited ILT20 title marks a historic achievement, showcasing their resilience and solidifying their place as a top franchise in the league. ^[1][7]

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