in a flutter ILT20 2025-26 Encounter at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on 9 December, Desert Viper edged out mi emirates Maintained their unbeaten streak with their fourth consecutive win, by just one run in the ninth match. Vipers batting first scored 159/4 runs in 20 overs. max holden42 more runs from 37 Fakhar ZamanScored 35 runs out of 31, despite this Andries Gus Hurt retired early at 21 off 15. MI Emirates, chasing 160, faltered dramatically to end at 158/9. david payneThe score of 4/29 proved decisive in the death overs
Shimron Hetmyer’s jaw-dropping catch was missed by Nicholas Pooran.
The decisive moment of the game came in 13.5 overs when Shimron Hetmyer Took a breathtaking diving catch to get him out nicholas puran Close Sam CurranChanging momentum decisively. Pooran, on 31 off 29 balls with four fours, mistimed a short-of-length delivery from Curran, sending it flat and hard towards deep midwicket.
Hetmyer, who was patrolling the boundary, sprinted to the left before diving full-length horizontally and cleanly catching the screamer, leaving MI at 98/3. This athletic gem, compared to a hawk trapping its prey, not only ended the dangerous 42-run partnership between Pooran and. tom banton But ignited the viper’s defense
Here is the video:
That’s a scream!
Only a tremendous catch could be taken to dismiss the high-flying Puran.#DPWorldILT20 #AllInForCricket #jahanduniyaplays pic.twitter.com/2T06qgEKWi
– International League T20 (@ILT20Official) 9 December 2025
Desert Vipers’ tactical edge leads to thrilling win against MI Emirates
The Vipers’ innings picked up momentum in the powerplay, racing to 51/0 before Gaus’ retirement hurt, with an opening partnership of 50 runs from 36 balls. Holden’s anchoring innings included a tactical twist, when Pooran controversially declined a stumping chance. Rashid KhanVipers retired him at 15.6 overs (118/2), introducing Hetmyer (15 off 9, with one six) and . dan lawrence (15* off 8 balls) scored 160 runs in the last four overs with a significant lead of 41 runs.
Chasing, MI Emirates lead 49/1 in powerplay Muhammad WasimK’s 24 and Banton’s aggressive 34 runs off 29 balls, crossing the 50-run mark in 6.1 overs. Wickets fell after Hetmyer’s brilliant innings: Payne dismissed Banton (101/4). Kieron Pollard (23 runs in 13, 144/7), and three wickets for one run in the 19th over and even more. Tajinder Singh17 runs from 7 balls (two sixes) took them to 150/7 in 19.4 overs, but Rashid KhanBrilliant innings of 13* off 8 balls (sixes and fours) missed by a run on the last ball, which was sealed Vritti ArvindQuick run out. Payne earned player of the match award for ending the chase
This one-run robbery cemented the Vipers’ dominance while MI Emirates squandered the start in a contest that was a mix of athleticism, strategy and sheer drama.
Also read: ILT20 Season 4: Full list of presenters and commentators – from Grace Hayden to Mohammad Kaif
