Former England opener Alex Hales became the second-highest run-scorer in T20 history but was on the losing side as Dubai Capitals beat Desert Vipers to reach the final of the International League T20. Alex Hales, 36, made 67 from 32 balls as he moved ahead of Pakistan’s Shoaib Malik and West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard.
However in the next match after his record breaking 67 runs went into vain in the 1st Qualifiers vs Dubai Capitals, Alex Hales with his 47 runs vs Sharjah Warriorz in Qualifier 2 eased Desert Vipers run to the finals with easy win over Sharjah Warriorz. The right-hander Alex Hales has scored 13,558 runs and is now only behind West Indies opener Chris Gayle, who has 14,562 runs. Alex Hales averages 30.06 across 488 innings and 2,074 of his runs came for England, including 212 in their 2022 T20 World Cup-winning campaign in Australia.
Pitch Report and Toss
Pitch Report : The pitch could hold a bit initially and batting could be easier in the second half – reckons Saba Karim.
Toss : Desert Vipers skipper Sam Curran won the toss and chose to bowl with Lockie Ferguson out with hamstring injury and Wanindu Hasaranga travelling back being the two changes in the Playing XI. Sharjah Warriorz skipper Tim Southee batting first made two changes in the playing XI bringing in Moeen Ali and Karim Janat for Ashton Agar and Harmeet Singh.
Jason Roy’s 73 runs powers SW to 162 for 7 in 20 overs after disciplined bowling effort from Desert Vipers
Earlier, SW got off to a shaky start after losing Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Johnson Charles early. Sharjah Warriorz batted first with openers Kohler Cadmore and Johnson Charles walking out to bat as openers. However, David Payne got rid of Cadmore early to draw first blood. Moreover, Mohammad Amir capitalized on the momentum to dismiss Charles.
He bowled a short-of-length delivery angling away. Charles picked a risky pull shot from well outside the off-stump and got a top edge. Azam Khan showcased incredible awareness and athleticism, jumping to complete a superb overhead catch.
With Sharjah Warriorz reduced to 76/4 in 10 overs, Jason Roy stepped up to power his team to a competitive total. He slammed a scintillating half-century and contributed a total of 73 runs off 56 balls.
Karim Janat supported him with a crucial 23 off 10 balls and Warriorz eventually finished with a decent total of 162 runs by the end of the first inning. Meanwhile, for the Vipers, David Payne and Nathan Sowter picked two wickets each.
However, Jason Roy (73 off 52 balls) kept the innings alive, playing some stunning shots, including a magnificent pull shot off Khuzaima Tanveer. Despite Jason Roy’s resilience, Nathan Sowter (2/27) and Tanveer (2/20) tightened the screws. Karim Janat (23 off 9 balls) provided a late flourish with three sixes in the 19th over, but SW could only post 162/7.
Alex Hales alongside Max Holden and Sam Curran blast Vipers into ILT20 final with a clinical win over Sharjah Warriorz
Desert Vipers’ second innings kicked off on an underwhelming note as Rahmanullah Gurbaz failed for the second consecutive time to get dismissed on 1 off 4 balls by Adam Milne. However, Alex Hales and Max Holden continued their sublime form with a 71-run partnership for the second wicket. Both batters maximized the powerplay before Alex Hales got dismissed on 47 off 29 balls in the 9th over. Holden also followed his partner to get bowled by Milne on 48 off 34 balls.
Chasing a target of 163, DV started cautiously but quickly shifted gears. Although Rahmanullah Gurbaz fell early to Adam Milne’s inswinger, Alex Hales (47) and Max Holden (48) ensured that DV stayed in control. Alex Hales, playing an aggressive yet calculated knock, hammered four boundaries in a single over against Dilshan Madushanka. His fluent stroke play and Holden’s composed innings helped DV reach 92/2 at the 10-over mark, putting them in pole position.
Just when SW sensed a breakthrough, Milne dismissed Holden for 48, but Sam Curran (34 off 15 balls) finished the job in style. With two massive sixes and powerful stroke play, Sam Curran ensured DV cruised to victory with 20 balls to spare.
Alex Hales and Max Holden did the job of setting the stage. Daniel Lawrence and Sam Curran added much needed finishing touch. Both added more than 50 runs for the fourth-wicket partnership. While Curran slammed 34 off just 15 balls, Lawrence added 28 off 18 balls to wrap up the chase in just 16.4 overs. With that dominant victory, the Desert Vipers have qualified for the finals of the ILT20 2025 season.
Presentations and Road Ahead
Tim Southee the loosing SW skipper said : Tough one to get as far and give us a chance to get to Sunday. We knew the wicket would skid on a little bit later, but we needed to bowl better. The sides that bowl first tend to have more success here in Dubai. The wicket was holding up just a touch in the first inning, but the Vipers bowlers bowled very well. Having said that, I think Jason played very well. It has been brilliant leading this team, first experience here in the ILT20.
Sam Curran the winning DV skipper said : Really good. We had a few chances and few injuries, we had to rest and rotate. Really glad to be in the final and be back in Dubai. Sharjah have dangerous top six, and we knew we had to get early wickets. Credit to Amir, he’s been getting us early wickets almost every game. Jason played really well in the end but the dew factor came in.
And then Hales played very well, and then Dan and myself finished things off. He is an experienced player and that’s just the way he plays. Always crucial in a big game for a player like him to step in. (On Ferguson) He was a bit flat to be missing out.
He has been our captain all along but had to sit out today because he was feeling his hamstring. We are grateful to get to a big final, excited to get back to Dubai and play in front of a big crowd on a Sunday. It will be all about who can hold their nerve better on the day.
Alex Hales Player of the Match for his 47 runs said : Feels good, the pitch was playing really well and glad to time that chase well. It was holding a bit in the first 3-4 overs when we bowled, so we knew we had to adjust when we came out to bat.
I kept it quite simple, very happy with how I played square and keeping it still, watch the ball till the last moment. (On chances in the final) We have a very strong batting line-up, so if we can use our change ups well, we have a good chance. Hopefully, this time we can hold onto our catches better.
Alex Hales and Sam Curran blasted Desert Vipers into the final of the International League T20 courtesy of a comfortable seven-wicket win over Sharjah Warriorz. Set 163 for victory by the Warriorz, Hales spearheaded the Vipers chase with 47 off 29 balls as he and Max Holden put on 71 for the second wicket in 7.1 overs.
Vipers skipper Curran then whacked an unbeaten 34 off just 15 balls as he Dan Lawrence, who finished 28 not out off 18, reached the target with 20 balls to spare. Earlier, Jason Roy had provided the bulk of the Warriorz total of 162-7 after he clubbed a 56-ball 73. David Payne finished with 2-28 with the ball for the Vipers while Nathan Sowter and Khuzaima Tanveer also snaffled two wickets apiece.
Dominant batting display leads Vipers to chase down 163 runs with ease, setting up showdown with Dubai Capitals.
The Desert Vipers secured their place in the ILT20 final after defeating the Sharjah Warriorz by six wickets, successfully chasing down 163 runs at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. This match was not just another playoff game; it was the culmination of skill, strategy, and intense competition, leading the Vipers to face the Dubai Capitals for the title.
After winning the toss, Sharjah Warriorz opted to bat first, aiming to set a challenging target. Their innings got off to a rocky start with Gurbaz falling early to Adam Milne, who managed to swing the new ball impressively. With pressure mounting, the Warriorz relied heavily on their middle order to stabilize their innings. But it wasn’t long before the Desert Vipers’ bowlers instituted control over the game, restricting the Warriorz to 162 runs on the board.
Sharjah’s innings included some noteworthy performances, particularly from their opener Jason Roy and their lower order. They managed to post a competitive score, but many analysts felt it fell short against the high-octane batting lineup of the Vipers. Then came the Desert Vipers’ response. Opening batsman Alex Hales led the charge, showcasing his exceptional form throughout the match.
Alongside Alex Hales, Max Holden also played a pivotal role, contributing significantly to the fast-paced start, which kept the pressure on the Sharjah bowlers. Both batsmen fell just short of individual half-centuries, yet their cohesive approach established momentum, which the Vipers carried throughout the match.
The Vipers cruised through the innings, with Sam Curran’s cameo performance of 34 and Dan Lawrence’s 28 runs near the end sealing the deal for the Vipers. Curran cranked up the excitement with impressive boundaries, culminating with him hitting the final runs to secure victory. “That’s it! Game, set, match. Curran finishes it off!,” announced the commentator as the crowd erupted.
Once again it is the chasing team that makes merry in Sharjah. The Desert Vipers are through to the final, chasing down 163 against the Warriorz with more than three overs to spare. Adam Milne made the new ball swing, and got the wicket of Gurbaz. Alex Hales though maximized the powerplay as he hit Madushanka for a hat-trick of fours, and then took down Southee as well.
He was well supported by Max Holden as well, who attacked Moeen Ali in the final powerplay over. Both batters fell a few short of their fifty, but the new batters for the Desert Vipers ensured the bowling side never had a chance in this contest. Sam Curran played a lovely cameo of 34, while Dan Lawrence chipped in with 28 to knock out the Sharjah Warriorz.
So it is official, the Dubai Capitals will play the Desert Vipers in the final of the 2025 ILT20. The win places the Desert Vipers one step closer to their first ILT20 title as they now set their eyes on the Dubai Capitals. The Capitals recently secured their spot by besting the MI Emirates, and the upcoming final promises to be one for the ages. The matchup will bring together two different styles and strategies, leaving fans buzzing with anticipation.