There was a new chapter in the DP World ILT20 when Desert Vipers were crowned champions of Season 4, securing their first-ever title with an impressive 46-run victory against MI Emirates at Dubai International Stadium.
In addition to the trophy and Black Belt (belt for franchise owner), Vipers bagged a winners’ purse of USD 700,000, with runners-up MI Emirates winning USD 300,00.
Once more, the DP World ILT20’s unique belts served as exclamation points to this depth of competition over the season, and a reminder of how many players made memorable individual contributions in helping keep the award race alive right up until LSG’s title-clinching win The belts had USD 15,000 prize money each.
Desert Vipers captain Sam Curran had an outstanding season, scooping the Red Belt (Most Valuable Player) and Green Belt (Best Batter).
Dubai Capitals’ left-arm spinner Waqar Salamkheil was the top-bowler for the season to win the White Belt (Best Bowler) while MI Emirates opener Muhammad Waseem added another Blue Belt (Best UAE Player) to his name – his fourth in succession.
Red Belt – Most Valuable Player
Sam Curran’s all-round displays had the Desert Vipers powering through to back-to-back Red Belts at the end of a very successful season. The Vipers captain ended Season 4 with a return of 397 runs, to go with seven wickets and 10 catches, contributing to his league-leading haul of 691 points.
His undefeated 74 in the final against MI Emirates was key to Vipers winning their first trophy.
He held off stiff competition from Gulf Giants’ Azmatullah Omarzai – who scored 233 runs and took 12 wickets to finish with 499 points – and MI Emirates’ Tom Banton, who hit 327 runs including two half-centuries in all before finishing the season with 470 points.
Green Belt – Best Batter
Curran was top of the Green Belt standings with 397 runs at a SR of 135 to notch up 475 points. His 17 sixes were the second most in the league, behind only that of Gulf Giants’ Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
MI Emirates’ Muhammad Waseem with 370 runs and 435 points, followed closely by Desert Vipers’ Max Holden with 359 runs including three half-centuries, 41 fours and a total of 419.
White Belt – Best Bowler
Waqar Salamkheil of Dubai Capitals was the season’s most productive bowler with 18 wickets, including three three-wicket hauls, at 7.66 per over.
This is his second White Belt in the DP World ILT20 after the Season 2. He was backed up by Abu Dhabi Knight Riders’ Ajay Kumar, also with 18 wickets, and Desert Vipers’ David Payne who took 17 wickets.
Blue Belt – Best UAE Player
Muhammad Waseem of MI Emirates continued to raise the bar for UAE players, awarded the Blue Belt following a stellar campaign. Waseem, who scored 370 runs with a strike rate of 132 and ended up scoring 470 points overall.
19: Khuzaima Tanveer, Desert Vipers Tanveer took 17 wickets with 108 dot balls during the season and had an amazing bowling figure of 4/10 against the Gulf Giants for the season. While for Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Ajay Kumar took 18 wickets.