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The Desert snakes started their own ILT20 2025 campaign on a winning note, defeating Knight Riders of Abu Dhabi by 7 wickets in a tense encounter at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The Knight Riders set a challenging target of 167, thanks to Phil Salt‘s exceptional knock of 71 not out. However, Vipers, powered by And Lawrenceis an explosive 70 off 39 balls and Sam Curran‘s put together 50 not out, overhauled the target with 8 balls to spare. This win showed the depth and balance of the Vipers, setting an early marker in the tournament.
Phil Salt anchors Abu Dhabi Knight Riders’ competitive total
The Knight Riders faced an uphill battle after opting to bat, as early wickets held them back. Kyle Mayers and Joe Clarke he fell cheaply, leaving the team struggling at 19/2 inside four overs. Salt came in as the saviour, making a brilliant unbeaten 71 off 49 balls, including 5 fours and 4 sixes. Alishan Sharaf provided vital support with a fluent 46 off 34 before retiring injured, and Andre Russell added late fireworks with a whopping 30 off on just 14 deliveries. Despite these contributions, the Knight Riders innings lost momentum in the death overs as the Desert Vipers bowlers, led by Mohammad Amir (1/29) i Lockie Ferguson (1/26), limited their charge to 166/5.
Dan Lawrence’s master class dominates the chase
Chasing a challenging 167, the Vipers started cautiously, losing Fakhar Zaman and Alex Hales early. At 56/2, Lawrence came in and changed the face of the game. Combining power and precision, he smashed 70 off just 39 balls, including 7 fours and 3 huge sixes. Lawrence dictated terms to the bowlers, attacking both spinners and pacers with equal authority. His partnership with Curran was instrumental in turning the tide, as they added a match-winning 95 runs for the third wicket. By the time Lawrence departed in the 18th over, the game was firmly in Vipers’ hands.
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Sam Curran’s all-around brilliance shines through
Curran showed why he is considered one of the most valuable T20 players globally. Although his bowling proved costly, conceding 48 runs in 4 overs, his impact on the field was undeniable. Curran’s key loss Michael Pepper highlighted his sharp presence, and played a composed but aggressive shot with the bat. Starting the chase after Lawrence’s dismissal, Curran scored an unbeaten 50 off 37 balls, punctuated by 2 boundaries and 1 six. His ability to keep his cool under pressure and guide innings to successful completion highlighted his match-winning credentials.
The Knight Riders face some tough lessons against the Desert Vipers
The Knight Riders will rue missed opportunities in both departments. While Phil Salt and Russell shone with the bat, the rest of the batting line-up faltered, leaving valuable runs on the table. Their bowlers, except Sunil Narine (1/29), fought for control, with Ali Khan leaking 49 runs in 3.4 overs. In contrast, the Vipers displayed a balanced team effort, combining disciplined bowling with calculated batting. This win gives the Vipers early momentum in the tournament, while the Knight Riders need to quickly address their shortcomings to remain competitive in the 2025 ILT20.
2️⃣ points in @TheDesertVipers kitty!
Courtesy of handsome houses from #DanLawrence and #SamCurranthe visitors chased the target at a gallop. ✌️#ADKRvDV @DPWorldILT20 #AllInForCricket pic.twitter.com/JhCQJpyLiv
— International League T20 (@ILT20Official) January 12, 2025
