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Desert Vipers secured their place in the final of ILT20 2025/26 with a one-sided victory over the MI Emirates in the first qualifier. The team performed brilliantly in both the batting and bowling departments and reached their third final in four years. They were previously defeated by the Dubai Capitals and Gulf Giants in the 2023 and 2025 final respectively.
Coming to the match, the Vipers had been invited to bat first by the opposition after winning the toss. This decision didn't really end up going in MI Emirates' way as the opening duo of Fakhar Zaman and Andries Gous decimated the opposing bowlers with stunning shots. They smacked boundaries and sixes all around the Sheikh Zayed Satdium and ensured that the team got off to a flying start.
Gous was clearly the aggressor among the two while Fakhar played the supporting role very well. Both the batters went on to reach their half-centuries, taking the side's total well over the 100-run mark. It wouldn't be until the 16th over that MI Emirates would get their first wicket as Allah Ghazanfar dismissed Fakhar for 69 runs, bringing an end to the 157-run stand. However, things didn't get any better for Kieron Pollard & Co. even after the wicket fell.
Gous scores remarkable ton
Gous went on to form another strong partnership with skipper Sam Curran as the bowlers continued to leak runs. The former went on to eventually bring up his hundred as the Vipers crossed the 200-run mark rather comfortably. While Gous remained unbeaten on 120, Curran also played an impactful cameo of 38 runs from just 12 deliveries as the team finished their 20 overs on 233/1.
In reply, the MI Emirates didn't have a great start and lost Andre Fletcher for just four runs in the fourth over. But the team fought back well as the duo of Muhammad Waseem and Tom Banton formed a strong partnership. The two rapidly increased the run-rate by smashing the opposing bowling attack. Banton reached his half-century in no time, but Waseem couldn't stay on the crease for long and got dismissed by Naseem Shah for 41 runs.
Tariq brings the Vipers back into the game
Banton would also lose his wicket for 63 runs in the next over as spinner Usman Tariq joined the party. He got rid of Sanjay Krishnamurthi on the very next delivery as the MI Emirates went down to 112/4. Pollard wasn't able to inflict damage either and became Tariq's third wicket of the innings. Pacer David Payne opened his account for the day by racking up the wicket of Dan Mousley for only seven runs as the side got restricted down to 135/6 in the 16th over.
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A last-stitch cameo of 39 by Romario Shepherd didn't prove to be enough as the MI Emirates finished off their 20 overs on 188/7. The Vipers won the match comprehensively by 45 runs and will now set their sights on the final that will take place on January 4. The MI Emirates are still in contention to make it to the final and will be facing the winner of the eliminator match that will be held between Dubai Capitals and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders.
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