Star performances from Dan Lawrence and Sam Curran, who struck commanding half-centuries, powered the Vipers to their target of 167 with eight balls to spare. Dan Lawrence was the star of the show, smashing 70 runs off 39 balls, including four sixes and five boundaries. He was supported by Curran, who remained unbeaten on 50 from 37 deliveries, anchoring the chase with minimal risks and only two fours and a six.
Dan Lawrence was in phenomenal form, blasting 70 runs off just 39 deliveries, which included an impressive display of power hitting with four sixes and five boundaries. Curran played a crucial supporting role, finishing his innings with a composed 50 not out from 37 balls, deftly steering the chase with only two fours and a six. The Desert Vipers began their DP World ILT20 season three campaign with an emphatic seven-wicket victory over the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Pitch Report and Toss
Pitch report: “The ground is beautifully cut. The surface is very well grassed and very even. New ball might do a bit. The new ball swung and deviated the most at this venue” says Ian Bishop.
Toss : Desert Vipers skipper Lockie Fergusson won the toss and chose to field with many experienced players in the playing XI. Abu Dhabi Knight Riders skipper Sunil Narine batting first also has a blend of experience and young players in the playing XI.
Phil Salt anchors Abu Dhabi Knight Riders’ competitive total of 166 in 20 overs
Earlier, the Knight Riders’ innings staggered right from the outset, losing both Kyle Mayers and Joe Clarke within the opening five overs, leaving them at a precarious 19 for 2. The Knight Riders set a challenging target of 167, thanks to Phil Salt’s exceptional knock of 71 not out.
However, Phil Salt’s steady batting held the innings together as he topped the scoring charts for the Knight Riders with an unbeaten 71 off 49 balls, supported by Alishan Sharafu’s 46 and a late onslaught from Andre Russell, who launched a fiery 30 runs off just 14 balls. Consequently, they concluded their innings at 166 for 5 after 20 overs. the Knight Riders had a challenging start to their innings.

Kyle Mayers was dismissed early by Mohammad Amir, and Joe Clarke was bowled by Lockie Ferguson, leaving the Knight Riders at 19 for 2 in 4.1 overs.
The Knight Riders faced an uphill battle after electing to bat, as early wickets pegged them back. Kyle Mayers and Joe Clarke fell cheaply, leaving the team struggling at 19/2 inside four overs. Phil Salt stepped up as the savior, crafting a sparkling unbeaten 71 off 49 balls, featuring 5 fours and 4 sixes.

Opener Salt shouldered the responsibility of rebuilding the innings, remaining unbeaten with a well-crafted 71. Salt’s knock comprised four sixes and five fours, showcasing his controlled aggression throughout his 49-ball stay at the crease. Alishan Sharafu provided crucial support with a valuable 46 runs off 34 balls.
Following Sharafu’s departure, Russell injected much-needed momentum into the innings, smashing 30 runs off just 14 deliveries. Russell’s cameo included two fours and three sixes before being run out, helping the Knight Riders reach a total of 166 for 5.
Alishan Sharafu provided vital support with a fluent 46 off 34 before retiring hurt, and Andre Russell added late fireworks with a blistering 30 off just 14 deliveries. Despite these contributions, the Knight Riders’ innings lost momentum in the death overs, as Desert Vipers’ bowlers, led by Mohammad Amir (1/29) and Lockie Ferguson (1/26), restricted their charge to 166/5.
Dan Lawrence and Curran Shine as Desert Vipers Claim Win Over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
Chasing a challenging 167, the Vipers began cautiously, losing Fakhar Zaman and Alex Hales early. With the score at 56/2, Dan Lawrence walked in and changed the game’s complexion. Combining power with precision, he hammered 70 off just 39 balls, including 7 fours and 3 massive sixes. Fakhar Zaman contributed a quick-fire 23 before being dismissed by Andre Russell, while Alex Hales fell cheaply to Sunil Narine.
Fakhar Zaman, appearing to be in good touch, scored 23, including three fours and a six, before being dismissed by Russell in the fifth over. Alex Hales departed in the eighth over, scoring just 10 runs, falling victim to Sunil Narine’s bowling.
Dan Lawrence dictated terms to the bowlers, attacking both spinners and pacers with equal authority. His partnership with Curran was instrumental in turning the tide, as they added a match-winning 95 runs for the third wicket. By the time Dan Lawrence departed in the 18th over, the game was firmly in the Vipers’ grasp.

Leading the charge were Dan Lawrence and Sam Curran, both of whom showcased their batting prowess with impressive half-centuries, propelling the Vipers to their target of 167 runs with eight balls remaining. At 56-2, Dan Lawrence and Curran joined forces, forging a match-winning 95-run partnership in just 59 balls. Despite Lawrence’s dismissal in the 18th over, the Vipers comfortably reached their target, finishing at 168-3 in 18.4 overs.
Dan Lawrence was in phenomenal form, blasting 70 runs off just 39 deliveries, which included an impressive display of power hitting with four sixes and five boundaries. Curran played a crucial supporting role, finishing his innings with a composed 50 not out from 37 balls, deftly steering the chase with only two fours and a six.

Dan Lawrence was the star of the show, smashing 70 runs off 39 balls, including four sixes and five boundaries. He was supported by Curran, who remained unbeaten on 50 from 37 deliveries, anchoring the chase with minimal risks and only two fours and a six. Sam Curran showcased why he is regarded as one of the most valuable T20 players globally. While his bowling proved expensive, conceding 48 runs in 4 overs, his impact on the field was undeniable.
Dan Lawrence and Curran then orchestrated a match-winning partnership of 95 runs from 59 balls. Lawrence’s aggressive knock of 71 featured four sixes and five fours. Curran’s unbeaten half-century, however, was characterized by controlled aggression, including only two fours and a six.
Shahid Bhutta broke the substantial partnership, dismissing Lawrence in the 18th over. With 16 runs remaining, Sherfane Rutherford joined Curran, guiding the Vipers to a comfortable victory in 18.4 overs.
Curran’s crucial run-out of Michael Pepper highlighted his sharp presence, and with the bat, he played a composed yet aggressive knock. Anchoring the chase after Dan Lawrence’s dismissal, Curran scored an unbeaten 50 off 37 balls, punctuated by 2 boundaries and 1 six. His ability to maintain calm under pressure and guide the innings to a successful finish underscored his match-winning credentials.
Presentations and Road Ahead
Sunil Narine the losing Abu Dhabi Knight Riders skipper said : We did pretty well while batting, was a tough powerplay. We’d have taken that score any day. The key was the first six, when the ball stopped swinging and seaming it became easier. Once you saw off the new ball, it was a total you could get. Probably a bit more pace with it being a day game. Bravo has a lot of knowledge, you can have all the plans but you also need to execute.
Lockie Ferguson the winning Desert Vipers skipper said : Nice to get across the line, good toss to win. Was doing a little bit up top. Nice to have some bowlers who can extract stuff with the new ball. Fan of a pitch with some pace on it. We’ve got such an experienced bowling attack, plans were clear, they bowled really well today.
Dan Lawrence Player of the Match for his 70 runs said : I think the situation was nice to come into, knowing I had to give myself a little time. Lockie did really well, we’ve got a really experienced bowling attack. The plans were clear and we executed them really well. From the hotel to how the coaches treat you, probably the most professional setup I’ve been a part of.
The Vipers get their ILT20 2025 campaign off to a winning start. They chased down 167 quite easily in the end. It looked like ADKR had posted a decent total when they got to 166/5 after being asked to bat first. Fakhar Zaman got off to a flying start but didn’t last long. Hales looked very scratchy and was out for just 10.
But Dan Lawrence and Sam Curran stepped up. They shouldered responsibility and took their time to get set in by knocking the ball around and rotating the strike really well. Then, they ran hard in between the wickets and put the loose balls away to keep abreast with the asking rate. Dan Lawrence scored a very nice 70 while Curran made an unbeaten 50 as they got to the total with a bit more than an over to spare.
The Knight Riders will rue missed opportunities in both departments. While Phil Salt and Russell shone with the bat, the rest of the batting lineup faltered, leaving valuable runs on the table. Their bowlers, barring Sunil Narine (1/29), struggled for control, with Ali Khan leaking 49 runs in 3.4 overs.
In contrast, the Vipers showcased a balanced team effort, combining disciplined bowling with calculated batting. This victory gives the Vipers early momentum in the tournament, while the Knight Riders must address their shortcomings quickly to stay competitive in ILT20 2025. With this victory, the Desert Vipers will be buoyed in their quest for glory as they look to challenge for the DP World ILT20 title this season .Desert Vipers will be pleased with the win as they aim to contend for the DP World ILT20 title this season.