New DelhiOn Sunday, January 5, Desert Vipers defeated MI Emirates in the 2025–2026 season final to finally end their lengthy wait for their first ILT20 title.
Vipers defeated the 2023–24 champions by 46 runs thanks to an outstanding all-around performance from captain Sam Curran, who shone with the bat while bowlers struck in unison. Vipers scored 182/4 in their 20 overs thanks to Curran's undefeated 51-ball 74 and strong contributions from Max Holden and Dan Lawrence.
Emirates consistently lost wickets, so they were never in the run chase. Andre Fletcher and Tom Banton were removed for cheap scores by Naseem Shah's first two blows.
Shah then dismissed Emirates captain Kieron Pollard for a run-a-ball 28, while Khuzaima Tanveer and Usman Tariq combined to take two of the next three wickets.
After losing two previous finals, Vipers won their first-ever ILT20 match when Tanveer took Muhammad Rohid Khan's last wicket. David Payne then took three wickets in an over, clearing the lower-middle order.
What was Vipers' prize money?In the meantime, Desert Vipers won the ILT20 title and received a substantial prize money of $7,00,000 (Rs 6.3 crore). This was more than twice the prize Emirates received for placing second. $3,00,000 (Rs 2.7 crore) was awarded to the losing finalists.
who all won additional prizesBoth Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament went to Sam Curran. With 397 runs in 12 innings, he finished the ILT20 as the top run scorer. In 11 innings during the competition, Curran also claimed seven wickets.
Mohammad Waseem was awarded a blue belt and named the top UAE player. Curran received a red belt for being the Most Valuable Player. In addition, he won a green belt for being the best batter.
Waqar Salamkhei, a left-arm wrist spinner, won the white belt for being the season's best bowler after taking 18 wickets in 11 innings. After making the best catch of the competition, Allah Ghazanfar was awarded a bicycle.