Desert Vipers Win ILT20 Opener by Four Wickets vs Capitals

Desert Vipers defeated defending champions Dubai Capitals by four wickets in the opening match of the DP World ILT20 Season 4 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on December 2, 2025, ending a six-match losing streak against their opponents in a rematch of last season's final.

Vipers captain Sam Curran won the toss and chose to bowl, a decision that paid off as his team's bowlers restricted the Capitals to 150 for eight in their 20 overs. The Capitals endured an early collapse, losing three wickets for just 32 runs in the powerplay. Opener Sediqullah Atal scored 16 off 13 balls before falling to Naseem Shah, followed by allrounder Gulbadin Naib, who was dismissed for a golden duck on the first ball he faced. Naib edged a full delivery from Curran, who took a stunning one-handed return catch, celebrating with a mock biceps flex in reference to their rivalry from the previous final. Wicketkeeper Jordan Cox then departed for 2 off 7 balls, caught by Dan Lawrence.

The Capitals recovered somewhat through a 39-run knock from Rovman Powell off 22 balls, including four fours and two sixes, and 29 runs from Mohammad Nabi off 23 balls with two fours and two sixes. Powell and Naib added...