The ILT20 2025-26 season reaches its thrilling climax with Desert Vipers facing MI Emirates in the final at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on January 4, 2026. This showdown kicks off at 8:00 PM local time (8:00 PM IST), pitting the league toppers against the defending champions in a battle for glory.
Desert Vipers earned a direct final spot after dominating Qualifier 1 with a 45-run win over MI Emirates, posting 233/1 thanks to Andries Gous’s unbeaten 120 off 58. MI Emirates bounced back fiercely in Qualifier 2, knocking out Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in Sharjah to force this rematch.
The stakes couldn’t be higher: Vipers chase their maiden title after last year’s runner-up finish, while MI Emirates aim to defend their crown under Kieron Pollard’s savvy leadership.
Dubai International Stadium’s pitch often starts batsman-friendly but can slow down under lights, assisting spinners and cutters while dew makes chasing preferable in night games. Expect a used surface that might favor grippy bowlers if not freshly rolled. Weather stays clear and warm at around 38°C with 61% humidity, zero rain risk, and 24 km/h winds that could aid early swing for pacers.
Head-to-Head Record
These sides have clashed four times overall, with Desert Vipers winning 2 and MI Emirates also securing 2 victories. Their rivalry stays dead even, highlighted by Vipers’ recent Qualifier 1 triumph. In the last five meetings (including league clashes), Vipers edge with 3 wins to MI Emirates’ 2, featuring high-scoring thrillers like MI’s massive 154-run league win and Vipers’ tense chases.
ILT20 2025 Match Details
- Match: MI Emirates vs Desert Vipers Final
- Time: 7:30 PM 2:30 PM GMT / 6:30 PM LOCAL
- Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
- Live Broadcast: FanCode app and website, Zee Network
International T20 League Live Streaming Info:
The International League T20 (ILT20) 2025 features 6 teams: Dubai Capitals, Desert Vipers, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, and Sharjah Warriors. The tournament includes a total of 34 matches.
The competition runs from January 11, 2025, to February 9, 2025. Matches are held at three major venues in the UAE: Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai, Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah, and Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
- India: Live streaming is available on the Zee5 OTT platform; TV coverage is on multiple Zee Network channels, including Zee Cinema and Sony Six.
- Pakistan: Matches are live on the Tapmad platform and TV channels such as PTV Sports, Geo Super, and A Sports.
- Middle East and North Africa (MENA): Abu Dhabi Sports, Dubai Sports, MYCO, and the ILT20 official YouTube channel for live streaming.
- Caribbean: Rush Sports, Flow Sports.
- United Kingdom: BT Sport, Sky Sports, Zee TV, TNT Sports, BBC iPlayer (online free access).
- Australia: Fox Cricket, Channel 9, Stan Sports.
- New Zealand: Sky Sports NZ.
- United States and Canada: Willow TV, ESPNcricinfo, and BBC iPlayer.
- Europe: Samsung TV Plus, Rakuten TV.
- South Africa: SABC Sport, Showmax, DStv Now.
The format is a double round-robin where each team plays the others twice, followed by playoffs including Qualifier 1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2, and the Final. The playoffs start on February 5, with the final scheduled for February 9, 2025, at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
How to Watch the Match for Free:
YouTube: Search for the ILT20 Official Channel and look for the live stream during match times.
Tamasha: Visit their website or app to find the live streams available for ILT20 matches.
Live Streaming Info:
Sky Cricket will be live: MIE vs DC
Live Score Info:
Cricket lovers can watch the MI Emirates vs Desert Vipers Final live score from this website: www.espncricinfo.com
MI Emirates vs Desert Vipers Final
Probable Playing XI
Desert Vipers: Andries Gous (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Max Holden, Sam Curran (c), Jason Roy, Dan Lawrence, Hasan Nawaz, Sanjay Pahal, David Payne, Usman Tariq, Khuzaima Tanveer. Impact: Naseem Shah.
MI Emirates: Muhammad Waseem, Andre Fletcher, Tom Banton (wk), Shakib Al Hasan, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Romario Shepherd, Kieron Pollard (c), AM Ghazanfar, Arab Gul, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Muhammad Rohid. Impact: Dan Mousley.
Team Form and Talking Points
Desert Vipers sit atop with eight wins from ten league games (recent form: WWLWL), blending explosive batting and powerplay bowling prowess. Sam Curran’s all-round fireworks—he’s second in runs and deadly upfront—pairs with Khuzaima Tanveer’s 15 wickets, making them a complete unit despite missing captain Lockie Ferguson. Key talking point: Can rested Vipers extend their knockout momentum against MI’s experience?
MI Emirates rode a five-win streak into playoffs (recent: WLWWW) before Qualifier 1 stumbles, but Pollard’s tactical tweaks shone in Qualifier 2 with mystery spinners AM Ghazanfar and Arab Gul stifling opponents. They’ve coped with exits like Rashid Khan and Nicholas Pooran via locals like Muhammad Rohid. Watch for Pollard’s finishing (15 sixes, second-most) and Shakib Al Hasan’s 45th T20 POTM award.
Desert Vipers Analysis
Strengths lie in batting depth from Gous (record 120* vs MI), Curran, and openers Fakhar Zaman-Max Holden, backed by Tanveer-Payne’s seam attack. Weaknesses? End-over economy issues for Curran, but recent Qualifier dominance shows resilience. Key performers: Gous (highest ILT20 score), Curran (unbeaten 38 off 12 in Q1), Tanveer (top UAE bowler).
MI Emirates Analysis
Pollard’s nous maximizes spin duo Ghazanfar-Gul’s variations, with Fazalhaq Farooqi’s death skills and Shepherd’s power-hitting. Batting firepower from Pollard (explosive at 38) and Waseem holds firm despite departures. Vulnerabilities include top-order fragility post-Fletcher/Bairstow changes. Standouts: Pollard (leadership, sixes), Ghazanfar (powerplay wizard), Shakib (milestone POTM).
Match Prediction
Vipers hold the edge with superior consistency, rest advantage, and Qualifier 1 blueprint against MI’s batting—expect another 160+ chase if they bowl first on a dewy Dubai track. MI’s spinners and Pollard could flip it, but Vipers’ squad depth tips a close win by 10-15 runs or 5-6 wickets.