Desert Vipers Clinch Playoff Berth with Sixth Straight Win

The Desert Vipers have become the first team to secure a spot in the ILT20 2025-26 playoffs, achieving their sixth consecutive victory on Sunday, December 14. Their latest triumph came against the Dubai Capitals, with Sam Curran's all-around performance leading the Vipers to chase down a target of 166/4. They won by five wickets with one ball remaining.

The Dubai Capitals, after being asked to bat first, lost Shayan Jahangir early to Naseem Shah in the third over. The Vipers' pace bowlers maintained tight control during the powerplay, restricting the Capitals to 35/1. Gulbadin Naib and Leus du Plooy then put together a 39-run partnership, scoring at approximately a run a ball before Noor Ahmad dismissed Naib, his Afghanistan teammate. At the halfway point, the Capitals were 68/2, needing to accelerate their scoring rate.

Du Plooy provided some much-needed impetus, hitting two boundaries off Lockie Ferguson in one over and following up with a six off Naseem Shah to reach his half-century in 38 balls. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. Sam Curran shifted the momentum once again by taking two wickets in quick succession, dismissing both du Plooy and Rovman Powell in the same over. Jordan Cox and Dasun Shanaka then combined to ensure a strong finish for the Capitals, adding an unbroken 72 runs off 40 balls, which included six fours and three sixes.

In their chase, the Desert Vipers were given a strong start by Max Holden, who contributed six of the seven fours scored in the powerplay. Although Fakhar Zaman was dismissed by Mustafizur Rahman in the fifth over, the Vipers still managed to reach 50 runs in the first six overs. Holden was then caught out for 34 by Haider Ali while attempting a slog sweep. Hasan Nawaz contributed three sixes before falling to Waqar Salamkheil, leaving the Vipers at 88/3 after 10 overs.

Dan Lawrence and Sam Curran stabilized the innings with a 32-run partnership before Lawrence was dismissed for 20 by Shanaka in the 14th over. In that same over, Shimron Hetmyer hit a four and a six, and was later given a second chance by Shanaka. Despite a couple of tight overs, the Vipers remained in control, needing 31 runs from the final four overs.

Curran brought the Vipers closer to victory with two fours off David Willey and a six off Muhammad Jawadullah. With three runs needed in the final over, Hetmyer was dismissed by Shanaka, but Curran sealed the win with a six off the fourth ball, reaching his half-century off 33 balls and completing an impressive all-round performance.