Desert Vipers. (Photo Source: ILT20)
Table toppers Desert Vipers will take on the second-placed MI Emirates in match 7 of ILT20 2025. Desert Vipers have won both their matches while MI Emirates have won and lost a game apiece. Despite that, they have climbed to second place because of their net run rate.
MI Emirates settled scores with Dubai Capitals by registering a 26-run win against them after a narrow one-run loss to the same opposition in their campaign opener. Half-centuries from Tom Banton (74 off 52)) and Nicholas Pooran (59 off 29) took the Emirates to a competitive 187. Shai Hope pretty much had to carry Dubai Capitals on his back with a stunning century (101 off 59) even as others struggled. Once Hope was dismissed, the Capitals fell apart as the Emirates won by 26 runs.
On the other hand, Desert Vipers carried on their dominant form by brushing Gulf Giants aside to make it two wins in two matches after beating Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in their first game of the season. Against the Gians, the Vipers put up a strong bowling performance to restrict them to 119. In an innings where eight batters were dismissed for single digits, Giants skipper James Vince held the innings from start to finish with a valiant unbeaten 76 off 62. The Vipers, though, were never challenged by the total and rode on contrasting forties from Sam Curran (42 off 43) and Sherfane Rutherford (40 off 18) to lead themselves home.
Vipers will be looking to carry their winning momentum forward and make it three wins from three matches.
Check out: ILT20 2025 Points Table
Here are the upcoming milestones for players of both teams:
46 – Nicholas Pooran needs 46 runs to become the highest run getter in ILT20 history.
57 – Dan Lawrence needs 57 runs to reach 3000 T20 runs.
2 – Sam Curran needs 2 wickets to reach 250 wickets in T20s.
39 – Nicholas Pooran needs 39 runs to reach 8500 runs in T20s.
8 – Nicholas Pooran needs 8 sixes to complete 600 sixes in T20s.