ILT20 Final Preview: Desert Vipers chase elusive trophy once again against MI Emirates | Cricket News

Dubai: True to their form in the various T20 leagues, MI Emirates (MIE) – the UAE-based franchise of Mumbai Indians – had an uneven campaign in the fourth season of the ILT20. They won twice in their first five games before recording five wins on the bounce to secure their playoff spot. Following a fall in the first qualifying round, they booked their place in the 2025-26 ILT20 Finals against the Desert Vipers.Meanwhile, the Desert Vipers have been among the most consistent MIEs this season. The franchise now led by Sam Curran started with six straight wins, progressing to the playoffs in a jiffy, and maintained that dominance by beating MIE in Qualifier 1.

This run to the final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium is not a first for either team. MI Emirates triumphed in 2024 while Vipers have already reached the final twice but failed twice (2023, 2025).Go beyond borders with our YouTube channel. REGISTER NOW!Curran stepped in as captain following a calf injury to New Zealander Lockie Ferguson, whose participation in the T20 World Cup is also under threat. After two lost finals in three years, the England all-rounder is hoping Sunday’s final will play out differently.“You learn, but it’s a new season, completely different players, of course, but the conditions might be slightly different. I guess you learn from it, but we’ve done so many things well this season, so I guess we stick to the process. Last year we lost a close game,” Curran said on the eve of the final.“I think reaching the final is a huge achievement in itself, and there’s still one more to go, so hopefully we’ll see how tomorrow goes,” he continued.“Finals are always different – the pressure, the crowd, the occasion – but this is what you play for. We are excited, fully aware of what it requires and looking forward to the challenge,” said Curran who has scored 323 points this season and is the second highest scorer.MI have enjoyed success in all the T20 leagues they are present in (IPL, SA20, MLC and ILT20) with MIE skipper Kieron Pollard involved in some of them. On Sunday, they will look to increase their tally in the UAE, with experience expected to play a key role.“You can say it counts (experience), yes, but again it’s different players at different times, you do it in different parts of the world with different players. It’s interesting to understand what it takes to win, so again for us we lost a lot of players… for us I’m just happy the guys rallied together and got to this point,” Pollard said.“I want them to just enjoy the experience of playing a final, and whatever happens, you’ll play to win, you’ll do everything you’re looking forward to, but just enjoy the experience,” he continued.

Players to watch

Curran, last year’s Red Belt (MVP) winner, is one of the players to watch in the finals. Equally impressive was Andries Gous whose unbeaten score of 120 in qualifying kept MIE at bay.For the locals, the focus will be on Emirati international Muhammad Waseem, who currently leads the Green Belt (Most Runs) and Blue Belt (UAE Best Player) rankings, having amassed 344 runs this season. The UAE opener is also on course to win the blue belt for the fourth time in a row.

Pollard had positive things to say for the UAE players who have stood out this season: “What we have seen from the UAE players over the last few seasons has been exceptional, both for the franchise and for UAE cricket. When you give them opportunities, they show real hunger and deliver when asked.“Rohid [Muhammad Rohid] was a last minute call-up, but he was outstanding in picking up two wickets in Qualifier 2. Seeing them step up and perform consistently at this level is encouraging, not only for us as a team, but for the future and growth of UAE cricket.Face to facePlays : 7MI Emirates won: 3The Desert Vipers won: 4