MI Emirates' dramatic collapse hands Vipers victory

The Desert Vipers secured their fourth consecutive ILT20 win, edging MI Emirates by one run in a nail-biting finish. Chasing 160, MI Emirates were restricted to 158 for 9, largely due to David Payne’s four-wicket haul.

The Deciding Over
Needing 17 runs from the final two overs with Kieron Pollard and Romario Shepherd at the crease, MI Emirates seemed poised for victory. However, David Payne’s 19th over turned the tide. He dismissed Shepherd, then removed the set Pollard (23 off 12), and finished by clean bowling Chris Woakes—conceding just one run while taking three wickets.

With 16 needed from the final over, Rashid Khan hit a six and a four off the last two balls to bring it down to 2 runs required off the final delivery. But on the last ball, wicketkeeper Vriitya Aravind ran out AM Ghazanfar to seal a dramatic one-run win for the Vipers.

MI Emirates’ Chase
MI Emirates’ chase began steadily. Muhammad Waseem and Tom Banton added 42 runs, but Khuzaima Tanveer broke the partnership by removing Waseem. Spinners Noor Ahmad and Lockie Ferguson then slowed the scoring. Nicholas Pooran made 31 before falling to Shimron Hetmyer, and Payne soon dismissed Banton.

In the late stages, Tajinder Dhillon’s quick 17 off 7 balls and Pollard’s hitting kept MI Emirates in the hunt until Payne’s decisive over.

Vipers’ Innings
Batting first, the Desert Vipers posted 159 for 4. Openers Fakhar Zaman and Andries Gous provided a strong start, putting on 51 without loss in the PowerPlay. Gous retired hurt in the fifth over, replaced by Max Holden, who added 51 with Zaman.

After Zaman fell for 35, the MI Emirates bowlers tightened up, restricting boundaries for a 36-ball period. Holden, struggling with timing, retired out on 42. Late cameos from Shimron Hetmyer (15 off 9), Sam Curran, and Dan Lawrence pushed the Vipers to a competitive total.

Brief Scores
Desert Vipers 159/4 in 20 overs (Max Holden 42, Fakhar Zaman 35; AM Ghazanfar 2-32) beat MI Emirates 158/9 in 20 overs (Tom Banton 34, Nicholas Pooran 31; David Payne 4-29) by 1 run.