Desert Vipers Vs MI Emirates Match Report
The Desert Vipers defeated MI Emirates by 5 wickets in Match 7 of the ILT20 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium
MI Emirates batted first and set a par total of 159, at 6, for the Desert Vipers in 20 overs. Kusal Perera scored 33 off 29 deliveries, a steady innings with five fours, until Dan Lawrence ended his innings in more ways than one. Muhammad Waseem only made 18 before he was deceived by the spin of Wanindu Hasaranga and Tom Banton made but 15 before he was run-out due to a muddled third-run call.
A sensational cameo by Kieron Pollard, with excellent batting 36 off just 23 balls with two fours and three sixes, kept the scoreboard ticking. Ferguson had a lot of influence on the match by taking out both Pollard and Pooran and that was a decisive moment in the match. After Mousley was dismissed for the modest total of 15, it was Shepherd with 16 not out and Hosein four who put some runs into the bag for MI Emirates.
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Desert Vipers`s bowling was led by Ferguson and Wanindu Hasaranga, who took two and one wickets, respectively. Wood and the others, included, made sure the job was not put beyond MI Emirates, thanks to skilled bowling, which covered those runs.
In chasing a target of 160, the Desert Vipers did get going very quickly, with Alex Hales and Fakhar Zaman at the forefront of the start. Hales soon got out on 34 from just 22 deliveries from Waqar Salamkheil while Zaman’s calm innings was match-winning; he carried the innings with a brisk and aggressive partnership of 67 from 52 balls, including five fours and four sixes. His innings were really important for the chase as they kept it moving along despite losing partners.
While Dan Lawrence, Azam Khan, and Sam Curran fell like ninepins, fears truly gripped the middle structure; soon, however, the unfazed Sherfane Rutherford and Wanindu Hasaranga coolly ensured there would be no further drama. The hauler not out on 21 off 8 balls sealed the win with only 5 balls remaining.
MI Emirates bowled well, with Zahoor Khan and Waqar Salamkhel taking critical wickets, but the early runs conceded by Fazalhaq Farooqi and Akeal Hosein made all the difference. Dan Mousley was great with his economy and also picked up 2 wickets, though that was not enough to stop the Vipers from chasing down the target.
MI Emirates Innings:
- Total: 159/6 in 20 overs
- Key Performances:
- Kusal Perera: 33 runs off 29 balls (5 fours)
- Kieron Pollard: 36 runs off 23 balls (2 fours, 3 sixes)
- Wanindu Hasaranga: Took 1 wicket for 21 runs in 3 overs
- Lockie Ferguson: 2 wickets for 25 runs in 4 overs
- Fall of Wickets:
- 48-1 (Muhammad Waseem), 64-2 (Kusal Perera), 86-3 (Pooran), 86-4 (Tom Banton), 123-5 (Mousley), 139-6 (Pollard)
Desert Vipers Innings:
- Total: 161/5 in 19.1 overs
- Key Performances:
- Fakhar Zaman: 67 runs off 52 balls (5 fours, 4 sixes)
- Alex Hales: 34 runs off 22 balls (6 fours)
- Sam Curran: 28 runs off 23 balls (1 four, 1 six)
- Waqar Salamkheil: 1 wicket for 29 runs in 4 overs
- Dan Mousley: 2 wickets for 27 runs in 4 overs
- Fall of Wickets:
- 62-1 (Alex Hales), 69-2 (Dan Lawrence), 71-3 (Azam Khan), 136-4 (Fakhar Zaman), 147-5 (Sam Curran)
