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Desert Vipers vs MI Emirates: Preview For ILT20 Final

7 Min Read

The Desert Vipers vs MI Emirates are ready for a showdown in the ILT20 finals. Both teams have shown exemplary performance throughout the league. This is what you need to know regarding the Desert Vipers, the MI Emirates, their players, and what is going to happen in the game.

MI Emirates: A Legacy of Success in T20 Finals

MI Emirates and coach Kieron Pollard are no strangers to winning T20 final matches. In fact, none of the MI men’s and women’s teams have ever lost a T20 final since 2010, when the Mumbai Indians lost to Chennai Super Kings in an IPL final. The team with so many T20 titles will definitely hope to add this title to their honour roll.

Nonetheless, their journey to the finals has faced some difficulties. Following their defeat at the hands of the Desert Vipers in Qualifier 1, MI Emirates appeared to have been reinvigorated as they emerged victorious against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in Qualifier 2, which took place at Sharjah. The influence of their captain, Pollard, especially through his creative approach to their bowling, could not be overemphasised.

Pollard has been in pristine form as well, hitting 15 sixes this season second only to Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s tally. His power-hitting prowess is what makes him a vital ingredient for the MI Emirates in the final as well.

Desert Vipers: A Well-Rested Team with a Maiden Title in Sight

The Desert Vipers, under the leadership of Sam Curran in the absence of regular captain Lockie Ferguson, have become one of the most well-rounded teams in ILT20. Their win against MI Emirates in Qualifier 1 gave them the extra advantage of a four-day rest before the final, which may act as a trump card to get their maiden title in the competition.

Curran has been in fantastic form both with the bat and the ball, the second-leading run-scorer this season. The aggressive kind of batting and his powerplay bowling has been crucial to the Vipers’ success.

A bludgeoning 38* off mere 12 balls in Qualifier 1 by Curran summed up how he could change the course of a game in no time. His form with the bat now means that he is one of the most dangerous players in the final.

The Desert Vipers, with an impressive line-up comprising key players such as Andries Gous and Khuzaima Tanveer, will be looking forward to securing their first-ever ILT20 title. Gous will look to repeat his match-winning performance after scoring 120* off 58 balls against MI Emirates in the league stage.

Key Players to Watch: Gous and MI Emirates’ Mystery Spinners

Andries Gous, the wicket-keeper batter for the USA, has been in sensational form in the Desert Vipers team. After recovering from a calf injury, Gous made a resounding return, scoring an unbeaten 120 against MI Emirates.

The Desert Vipers are now looking to get another match-winning performance from this player in the final. Playing under pressure, especially in front of his own family, makes Gous an important player to watch in this match.

On the other hand, MI Emirates’ mystery spinners in the Afghanistan squad, AM Ghazanfar, as well as Arab Gul, will be the real game-changers for the team.

Ghazanfar has been phenomenal in the powerplay with his carrom ball, while Gul has been very effective in the middle overs with his accurate bowling. Both the spinners have the ability to turn the screws in the favor of the team in the final, in case the ground favors the bowlers.

Form Guide: Desert Vipers vs MI Emirates

Before the final match has even happened, both teams are showing great form in their own ways:

Desert Vipers: WWLWL (past five matches)

MI Emirates: WLWWW (last five matches)

MI Emirates are in the finals after winning five matches in a row, while the Desert Vipers are in the event with mixed performances. The fact that the Desert Vipers will be well rested might be an advantage for them in the finals.

Pitch and Conditions: Dubai’s Challenge for Both Teams

The Dubai International Cricket Stadium pitch is anticipated to play a critical role as far as the final match result is concerned. In the event the match takes place on the new pitch, the surface is most likely to help the batsmen as well as the bowlers.

Even if the previous pitch is to be used, the spinners will play an important role, most likely during the middle overs. Dew is also expected to affect the match as the night progresses.

Team News: Desert Vipers and MI Emirates

Both sides are expected to pick their strongest possible squads, with very few changes expected:

Desert Vipers: Andries Gous (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Max Holden, Sam Curran, Jason Roy, Dan Lawrence, Hasan Nawaz, Sanjay Pahal, David Payne, Usman Tariq, Khuzaima Tanveer, Naseem Shah

MI Emirates Playing XI: Muhammad Waseem, Andre Fletcher, Tom Banton (wk), Shakib Al Hasan, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Dan Mousley/Tajinder Singh, Romario Shepherd, Kieron Pollard (capt), AM Ghazanfar, Arab Gul, Fazalhaq Farooqi,  (12th) Muhammad Rohid

Stats & Trivia: Insights of ILT20

MI Franchise Record: No MI team for either men and women has ever lost a T20 Final ever since 2010, where Mumbai Indians lost to Chennai Super Kings in IPL.

Shakib Al Hasan: Shakib has 45 Player-of-the-Match awards in T20 matches. This makes him rank third behind Pollard, Maxwell, and Chris Gayle.

Leading UAE Wicket-Takers: Desert Vipers’ Khuzaima Tanveer (15 wickets) finds a place in the top ten wicket-takers list, which includes ADKR’s Ajay Kumar at 18 wickets.

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