The Desert vipers they started ILT20 2025 campaign on a note of victory, defeat Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Abu Dhabi with 7 wickets in a high-energy clash at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium. Thanks to the Knight Riders, they set 167 difficult targets Phil SaltNot an exceptional knock out of 71. However, it is powered by Vipers And Lawrence‘s explosive 70 off 39 balls and Sam Currandid not make it to 50, he revised the target with 8 balls. The win was an early highlight of the tournament, showcasing the depth and balance of the Vipers.
Phil Salt anchors the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders’ competitive total
Knight Riders faced an uphill battle after electing to bat as early wickets pegged them back. Kyle Myers and Joe Clarke fell cheap and the team struggled to 19/2. Salt stepped up as the savior and produced a brilliant unbeaten 71 off 49 balls that included 5 fours and 4 sixes. Honorable Alishan Before retirement he provided vital support with a fluency of 46 off 34 and Andre Russell added late fireworks with 30 off on just 14 deliveries. Despite these contributions, the Knight Riders’ innings lost momentum in the death overs, as did the bowlers led by the Desert Vipers. Mohammad Amir (1/29) and Loki Ferguson (1/26), limited his charges to 166/5.
Dan Lawrence’s master class dominates the chase
Chasing a challenging 167, Vipers started cautiously and lost Fakhar Zaman and Alex Hales early. At 56/2, Lawrence came in and changed the complexion of the game. Combining power with precision, he hit 70 off just 39 balls, including 7 fours and 3 massive sixes. Lawrence dictated terms to the bowlers, attacking both spinners and pacers with equal authority. His partnership with Curran was instrumental in turning the innings as they put on 95 runs for the third wicket. When Lawrence left in the 18th, the game was firmly in the hands of the Vipers.
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Sam Curran’s all-round brilliance shines through
Curran demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the most valuable T20 players globally. Although his bowling was costly, conceding 48 runs in 4 overs, his impact on the field was undeniable. Curran’s decisive run Michael Pepper highlighted his sharp presence and with the bat he played a composed yet aggressive stroke. Anchoring the chase after Lawrence’s dismissal, Curran scored an unbeaten 50 off 37 balls punctuated by 2 boundaries and 1 six. His ability to maintain composure under pressure and finish shots successfully highlighted his match-winning performance.
The Knight Riders face some tough lessons against the Desert Vipers
The Knight Riders will regret missed opportunities in both departments. While Phil Salt and Russell shone with the bat, the rest of the innings faltered and left valuable runs on the table. Their bowlers, banned Sunil Narine (1/29), wrestled for control with Ali Khan leaking 49 runs at 3.4 runs. In contrast, the Vipers displayed a balanced team effort, combining disciplined bowling with calculated batting. The win gives the Vipers an early boost in the tournament, while the Knight Riders must quickly overcome their deficit to stay in contention at ILT20 2025.
2️⃣ points @TheDesertVipers cat!
Nice knocks courtesy #DanLawrence & #SamCurranguests chased the target with a hook. ✌️#ADKRvDV @DPWorldILT20 #AllInForCricket pic.twitter.com/JhCQJpyLiv
— International League T20 (@ILT20Official) January 12, 2025
