The Desert Vipers suffered their first defeat of Season 4 of the DP World ILT20 by the narrowest of margins – one run – to the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ADKR) in Abu Dhabi. 

Chasing 182 to win, the Vipers needed three off the final ball, managed to score just one, thus ending their winning streak of six successive matches at the start of this edition of the tournament.   

Put in to bat by the Desert Vipers, ADKR had a shaky start, losing a wicket to the first ball of their innings to Khuzaima Bin Tanveer’s brilliance. ADKR fell to 9/2 after Vipers captain Lockie Ferguson followed up with a wicket in the second over of the innings.

But an impressive recovery followed, led by Liam Livingstone and Alex Hales and later Alishan Sharafu. The Knight Riders scored 69 from their final five overs and reached 181/5 in their 20 overs. 

Top-scorer for ADKR was Livingstone with 76 off 48 deliveries and UAE batter Sharafu shared a 68-run partnership with him as he scored 39 from 35 balls. 

The Desert Vipers’ run chase began well through a 97-run opening partnership between Max Holden (52 off 43) and Fakhar Zaman (44 from 32), but thanks to some disciplined and clever bowling from ADKR they were able to pull back the advantage and script a dramatic win.

Match Scores: 

Toss: Desert Vipers

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: 181/5 (20 overs)

Top scorer: Liam Livingstone 76 (from 48 deliveries)

Desert Vipers: 180/6 (20 overs)

Top scorer: Max Holden 52 (43)

Match Result: ADKR won by 1 run.
Player of the Match: Liam Livingstone

Here are some quotes from the Vipers Voices post-match vodcast and podcast featuring Desert Vipers captain Lockie Ferguson:

On the narrow defeat by just one run to ADKR: 

“I think our fans are probably getting used to close games, so we are certainly playing an entertaining brand of cricket but yes, one run. It is one of those things in T20 cricket that happens. 

“We could not quite get across the line tonight, but again we have had some great wins throughout the season, so obviously it is disappointing at the time, but looking forward we have got a lot of confidence and positivity in the group. We are looking forward to the next challenge.”

On whether there was anything the Desert Vipers could have done differently to take advantage of having reduced ADKR to 9-2 in the first two overs:  

“I think you always reflect and think you could have done more, but at the time the boys’ plans were very clear. Clearly they (ADKR) are world-class batters, so they saw that we were on top a little bit, soaked up the pressure as good batters do, and then they turned it back on us in the last six or seven overs.

“So you have to tip your hat at some point in time and realise that they are international batters and world-class for a reason. They played well tonight, and obviously they got the extra run that we could not. But that was the closest margin you can get. It is disappointing but, at the same time, I think that we are still very happy with the groove and how we are playing.”

On how he is feeling about his own bowling tonight after finishing with 3-34 in his four overs:

“The start of the tournament has been a bit rusty, coming off a bit of an injury, but generally speaking, I am trying to get better each game and just trying to learn from (my) mistakes.

“The group we have here with Azhar (Mahmood) the bowling coach, Fozzie (James Foster the Head Coach) getting around (and talking to) us is excellent. The communication has been great, the plans have been great, but execution is what it comes down to, and in tight games like this, it is important.

“I think the Knight Riders actually bowled really well tonight. They executed their yorkers very well, their slower balls were great, so, we can take some learnings from that and try to be better. We have got a few days off now, so this is an opportunity to work on those skills and come back on Saturday.”

On Khuzaima Bin Tanveer taking a wicket from the first ball of the match and his overall performance in the tournament so far: 

“He (Khuzaima Bin Tanveer) has been great. He was amazing last season and so he came into this season with a bit more expectation on his shoulders. But he has been rising to it, even tonight with the bat, he almost got us over the line at the end.

“The thing I love about Kuzzi (Khuzaima Bin Tanveer) is that even though we have good days and bad days on the field, the process and the mentality he has behind his game is great and I just see him going from strength to strength.

“He is learning from his mistakes very quickly; he understands that even though it is T20 cricket, there is still some patience needed when he swings the ball like he does. I have seen him grow through this tournament, and I hope he continues to grow through the finals for us.

“I am not surprised he is at the top of the wicket-takers (for the DP World ILT20 with 11 wickets so far), but I hope it continues for him, and even past this tournament, I am sure he will do really well.”

The Desert Vipers next play the Sharjah Warriorz at the Dubai International Stadium on Saturday, December the 20th, starting at 6:30 pm.

Tickets for all Desert Vipers matches are now available here

The Desert Vipers have set a new record for most successive wins in a DP World ILT20 season after a sixth straight victory, this one achieved in their annual Sustainability Match. The Vipers defeated the Dubai Capitals by five wickets with two balls to spare, chasing a target of 167. 

Sam Curran was awarded Player of the Match for his unbeaten knock of 52, along with a superb showing with the ball, where he took two wickets and gave away just 17 runs in three overs. 

Earlier the players donned a special match kit for the annual Sustainability Match inspired by the ‘Biodiversity Stripes’ representing the decline of global wildlife populations. 

Speaking about the annual event, Desert Vipers CEO Phil Oliver said he was proud of what the team had achieved so far: “We started this initiative over two years ago now, turning the Desert Vipers into the most sustainable cricket franchise in the world. We have made great progress, but we know there is a lot more to do.

“Our focus this year is very much on conservation and biodiversity. We have played in green for the whole tournament this time, and rather than making our Sustainability Match a one-off green thing, we thought we would do something very special and focus on nature and conservation which is now a central part of what we are doing as a franchise. 

“As well as connecting with local communities throughout the schools programme, our talent pathway, and working with a wide range of local companies, we are working very hard to make the connection between nature and sport. Because if there is something that I want everyone to take away from today, it is the notion that there is no sport without nature.”

Desert Vipers Head of Strategy Matt Bailey added: “We are lucky to have a really strong suite of partners behind us that support us in our work. It was a delight to see Carrefour Majid Al Futtaim, the leading supermarket here in the UAE. They are a returning partner of the team.

“And the focus of our work with them is around healthy eating and nutrition for young people. It is called the Bright Bites campaign. They have really fun characters, healthy snacks and special lunch boxes.

“We have agreed an important partnership with Middlesex University, where they are bringing in sports science to their curriculum in a very exciting way through an initiative that launches next January with a high-performance centre and strength and conditioning training. That is just another example of an amazing community partner that we have here in Dubai.

“The RAW Coffee Company is also another key partner and the exercise bike powering up their activation in the fan village was enjoyable. That partnership is about wellness through fitness and our effort there is to have a positive impact on the communities around us.”

The kit featured in the team photo before the match, where players held placards saying ‘Play for People and the Planet’ to emphasize their commitment to sustainability.

While fans packed the stadium, the Crickmas fan zone was bustling with activations organised by the Desert Vipers along with the DP World ILT20.

The partners of the Desert Vipers showed their support for the team’s sustainability efforts. Middlesex University handed out giveaway packs, while Bright Bites —Carrefour’s healthy snacking brand for children — sold nutritious snacks and hosted games where kids could win goodie bags.

The RAW Coffee Company’s “cycle-to-charge” activity was extremely popular, inviting visitors to test their fitness with the reward of a tasty coffee after a brief workout. 

Additionally, top coaches from the Vipers’ elite Talent Pathway Programme offered free coaching and fitness sessions for children in the fan zone.

On the field, the Vipers restricted the Capitals to 166 for four in their 20 overs before knocking off the runs, the match concluding with a Sam Curran six.

Here is a quick review of the match:

Match Scores: 

Toss: Desert Vipers 

Dubai Capitals: 166/4 (20 overs)

Top scorer: Leus du Plooy 54 (44 deliveries)

Top wicket-taker: Sam Curran 2-17

Desert Vipers: 171/5 (19.4 overs)

Top scorer: Sam Curran 52 not out (33) 

Match Result: Desert Vipers won by five wickets 

Player of the Match: Sam Curran 

Here are some quotes from the Vipers Voices post-match vodcast and podcast featuring Head Coach James Foster:

On winnings six games on the trot: 

“We are very happy. Six from six, if you had said the team would be here at the start of the campaign, I would have been absolutely over the moon. It was a challenging win today, against a good team on a challenging pitch. We adapted and got the win, so I am delighted.”

On how to avoid complacency setting in after qualifying for the play-offs with six wins in a row: 

“You just keep resetting after every game. We all go about our business. We do our research on the opposition, collectively and individually, whatever that might be.

“We prepare, we try and work out the right combinations to take on the opposition in the conditions. We just keep going about our business. Being six from six, there is no downside in that.

“As long as we are aware, and we have been, of a few areas that we can potentially improve on, that is exciting. We are playing well, and I also feel like there is more to come, which excites me as a coach, but also excites the group.”

Looking ahead to match against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders on Tuesday:

“They are a very dangerous team, like every other team. It would be foolish to turn up and just expect us to rock up and for a win to happen. We will be prepared, we will be doing our due diligence.

“You do not take anything for granted in this game, and if you do, it is a very, very risky ploy. They are a dangerous outfit. They will be wanting to win some games, so they will be coming hot.

“They have got match-winners top to tail with the ball and with the bat, so we are going to have to turn up there, be engaged, be switched on and give it our best shot.”

The Desert Vipers maintained their winning start to this season’s DP World ILT20 with a fifth victory in five starts, this time against the Gulf Giants, with an eight-wicket win at the Dubai International Stadium on Friday night. 

Player of the match Khuzaima Bin Tanveer ripped a hole in the Giants’ top-order with a sensational new-ball spell, capturing four for 10.

And although the Giants rallied through Asif Khan (36 not out) and Liam Dawson (38 not out from 14 balls), their final total of 157 for seven proved comfortably within the Vipers’ range.

Max Holden, opening in place of the injured Andries Gous, made an unbeaten 64 from only 41 balls, and he shared a superb, unbroken stand of 123 for the third wicket with Sam Curran (67 not out from 43 balls) as the team eased home with 19 balls in hand.

The Vipers are now four points clear of the second-placed Giants in the league table and are next in action on Sunday the 14^th of December, again at the Dubai International Stadium, when they face the Dubai Capitals, starting at 6.30pm.

That game is the Vipers’ Sustainability Match when they seek to shine a light on green issues.

Match Scores: 

Toss: Desert Vipers 

Gulf Giants: 157/7(20 overs)

Top scorer: Liam Dawson 38 not out (14 balls); 

Khuzaima Bin Tanveer four for 10.

Desert Vipers: 1658/2 (16.5 overs)

Top scorers: Sam Curran 67 not out (43) and Max Holden 64 not out (41 balls).

Match Result: Desert Vipers won by 8 wickets

Player of the Match: Khuzaima Bin Tanveer  

Here are some quotes from the Vipers Voices post-match vodcast and podcast featuring Desert Vipers top order batter Max Holden:

On scoring his first fifty of this season’s tournament:

“I was really pleased to contribute. I got a few in the MI Emirates game, (but was) obviously dismissed in interesting circumstances (when I was retired out for 42).

“I had a couple of days to digest what went on and refocus myself and I was really pleased (with how I played tonight). I found a bit more rhythm out there tonight and I was pleased to be able to see the job home and be there at the end.”

On batting with Sam Curran:

“He is obviously a great guy to bat with. He has a lot of experience and we have played a fair amount of cricket together, being the same age, growing up playing each other quite a lot and playing a bit of (England) under-19s together so we have known each other for quite a long time.

“I have played against him loads of times when he has played for Surrey and I have seen him play innings like that a fair few times in The Hundred and in the T20 Blast back home.

“It was great to be at the other end this time. He is really cool and composed, he knows exactly what he is doing, he waits for his match-up (such as when he hit three sixes off Liam Dawson) and when it is his time then he can take a bowler down.

“It was great to be at the other end and it was nice that we managed to see the job home together.”

On Khuzaima Bin Tanveer:

“He was fantastic. He has been superb all tournament so far with bat and ball. He is someone who stands up time and time again and tonight that was as good as it gets really, he did not really seem to miss his mark.

“He was steaming in and the other guys were backing him up as well, so it was a fantastic first ten overs. Maybe we did not quite finish the job as we would have liked, but sometimes that is the way it goes, and the opposition are allowed to play well as well.

“I think the way we chased the runs showed it was a good wicket and, thanks to ‘Khuzzy’ we did a lot of the hard work early on in that bowling innings to restrict them to a very chaseable target.”

On a perfect start to the tournament with five wins from five matches:

“We are a very experienced team and we know what we want to achieve. We have been setting out like all the other teams to win the tournament but it is obviously too early to think about that.

“There are still five more group games and we will be just be doing what we have done all tournament, which is take each game as it comes.

“We will prepare well for the Dubai Capitals next up and focus as hard as we can on each game. We have got a really good, well-rounded squad so hopefully guys at different points keep sticking their hands up.

“We will keep striving to improve. We have experienced players who set high standards and we will keep demanding more individually and as a team. We are still a long way from our goal and we will keep working to achieve it.”

The Desert Vipers next play the Dubai Capitals in the annual Sustainability Match on Sunday, December the 14th, at the Dubai International Stadium starting at 6:30 pm.