Match overview
Desert Vipers beat MI Emirates by 45 runs at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on 30 December 2025, in their ILT20 fixture. Batting first, the Vipers produced a remarkable innings of 233/1 across their 20 overs, losing only a single wicket throughout. MI Emirates, chasing 234, made a reasonable start before their middle overs fell apart: four wickets for 82 runs between overs seven and fifteen effectively ended the contest. They finished on 188/7, a total that would have been par on most nights at this ground. AGS Gous was named Player of the Match for his contribution to an innings that was never under threat.
The result extended Desert Vipers' head-to-head advantage over MI Emirates to six wins from ten ILT20 meetings. It also ended what had been an impressive five-match winning run for MI Emirates, who came in as the form side in the competition.
Venue and conditions
Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi has hosted 242 T20 matches, making it one of the more data-rich venues in franchise cricket outside the subcontinent. The average first-innings score of 180 and average second-innings score of 162 suggest the ground favours the side batting first, though the chase success rate sits at exactly 50 per cent. MI Emirates' decision to field after winning the toss aligned with the ground's pattern: 53 per cent of toss winners have opted to chase here.
The phase-by-phase data shows where the match was won and lost. Zayed's average powerplay produces around 39 runs; Desert Vipers made 47 without loss in that phase and then piled on 101 more in the middle overs, again without losing a wicket. Their death-overs score of 85/1 pushed the total to a level the venue has rarely seen. For MI Emirates, a powerplay of 53/1 was encouraging but they conceded four wickets for 82 in the middle, and the required run rate climbed out of reach before the death phase began.
How to watch
The ILT20 is broadcast in the United Kingdom on Sky Sports Cricket. Live streaming is available through Sky Go for existing subscribers and via a NOW TV day or month pass for those without a full Sky package. Coverage typically includes pre-match analysis and post-match review, with the UAE time zone meaning most ILT20 evening matches begin in the mid-afternoon UK slot.
Recent form
MI Emirates arrived on the back of five consecutive victories: wins over Dubai Capitals (twice), Gulf Giants, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, and Desert Vipers in their previous meetings this season. That run had moved them up the standings and made them a credible threat in this fixture despite the head-to-head deficit. The collapse in their middle overs here, however, will be a concern regardless of where this result sits in the table.
Desert Vipers' form heading in was more mixed: three wins and two losses in their previous five, with defeats to MI Emirates and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders sandwiched around wins against Sharjah Warriorz and Dubai Capitals. The 233/1 here represents a significant statement of batting depth, and with four of the last five head-to-head meetings now going their way, they move into the remainder of the ILT20 season with a clear edge in this rivalry. Both sides will face each other again before the season is out; MI Emirates will need to find answers to a bowling unit that kept them wicket-free for much of the first hour.
