WATCH: Sam Curran Takes Stunning Wicket, Teases Gulbadin Naib with 'Biceps Celebration' in ILT20

The Desert Vipers started the new ILT20 season with a strong win, beating the Dubai Capitals by four wickets in the tournament opener on Tuesday, December 2, in Dubai. The Vipers would have preferred to lose fewer wickets, but they successfully chased 151, thanks to opener Andries Gous’ powerful knock of 58 off just 36 balls. The defending champions struggled to gain momentum throughout their innings, except for a brief period when Rovman Powell got going.

The Capitals kept losing wickets throughout their 20 overs. The wicket-taking started in the third over, bowled by Naseem Shah. Two balls later, Vipers’ stand-in captain Sam Curran took a stunning catch off his own bowling. He bowled a fuller delivery to Gulbadin Naib, which swung in slightly. Naib tried to play straight, but the shot went toward mid-on and stayed in the air for a moment.

Curran ran in the opposite direction and used his reflexes to catch it with his right hand. He was thrilled and teased Naib with the latter’s signature 'flexing biceps' celebration. The whole team was ecstatic, and Curran was delighted to take a wicket in his first over while also leading the side.

Watch the video here:

Curran’s Brilliant Catch Sparks Vipers, Gous and Zaman Firepower Seals Win

“We had too many battles last year. You just kind of laughed them off there, but I'm sure that battle will continue. It's all fun and games, but luckily that one stuck,” Curran said, reflecting on his duel with Naib and taking a spectacular catch off his own bowling.

Openers Andries Gous and Fakhar Zaman dominated the chase from the start, putting together a 50-run partnership in just 28 balls during the powerplay. Their aggressive start set the tone for the innings. The Vipers needed only small contributions thereafter, which Max Holden and Dan Lawrence provided, guiding the team to a four-wicket victory with one over to spare.