The battle was fierce between the former West Indies all-rounder and Captain, Kieron Pollard, and Pakistan pacer, Nashim Shah, as they were engaged in a heated verbal altercation with each other during the final of the International League T20 (ILT20) 2025-26 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The incident happened on the last ball of the eleventh over during the second innings. 

Playing for the Desert Vipers, Naseem dished out a good land delivery as Pollard could do nothing much with the ball, getting an inside edge onto his bed as it rolled back to the pacer. That was when the Pakistan pacer mocked the batter by letting out a huge chuckle, who did not amuse the veteran campaigner who was leading the MI Emirates in this competition.

See Also: 'If they decide...' - Mustafizur Rahman reacts for first time after his omission from IPL 2026

Pollard headed straight back to the bowler and got engaged in a heated verbal duel as the tempers flared at the Ring of Fire before the umpires and the players from the Vipers’ side tried to calm things down. However, Naseem had the last laugh by dismissing the right-handed batter for 28 runs at a run-a-ball.

Naseem Shah and Kieron Pollard’s heated argument in ILT20 2025/26 final

The Desert Vipers, who enjoyed a successful group stage campaign in the tournament, put up 182 in their allotted twenty overs for the loss of four wickets in the first innings. The number three batter, Max Holden, recorded a decent knock of 41 runs in 32 balls with the help of two boundaries and one six.

Watch the video here:

Sparks fly in the middle! 🧨

The Final brings out many emotions, catching Naseem Shah & Kieron Pollard in the middle of it. ⚔️#Final #DVvMIE #DPWorldILT20 #WhereTheWorldPlays #AllInForCricket pic.twitter.com/PGUsSl3PaT

— International League T20 (@ILT20Official) January 4, 2026

However, they still needed some fire in the back end of the innings with their captain, Sam Curran, providing an unbeaten knock of 74 runs in just 51 balls with the help of eight boundaries and two sixes. MI Emirates did not receive any significant contributions from the batters, with the highest score being 36 from Shakib, as they were bowled out for 136, losing the contest by 46 runs. Vipers claimed the maiden trophy of the tournament.

Brief Scores: Desert Vipers 182/4 (Sam Cuuran 74*, Max Holder 41, Fazalhaq Farooqi 2/33) beat MI Emirates 136 (Shakib Al Hasan 36, Naseem Shah 3/18, David Payne 3/42) by 46 runs.

The International League T20 (ILT20) 2025-26 reaches its grand finale as Desert Vipers (DV) take on MI Emirates (MIE) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, January 4.

The Desert Vipers have been the most consistent side all season. The team topped the points table with eight wins in ten matches and currently have a direct entry into the final after winning against MI Emirates in Qualifier 1. This is their second straight ILT20 final, and they will be eager to finally lift the trophy after falling short last time.

The MI Emirates had to take the longer route to the final. After losing Qualifier 1, they bounced back strongly by beating the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in Qualifier 2. The Kieron Pollard-led side now has a chance to win their second ILT20 title and will be confident after their strong knockout performance.

DV vs MIE Head-to-Head Record (T20s)

• Matches Played: 9
  
• Desert Vipers Won: 5
  
• MI Emirates Won: 4
• Tied/No Result: 0

DV vs MIE: Pitch Report

The Dubai pitch is excellent for the bowlers, especially spinners. The batsmen have to be at the crease for some time before playing the big shots. Scores of around 160 can be pretty competitive here. Teams that win the toss might opt to bowl first, as chasing has been easier under lights.

See Also: Watch: David Warner celebrates second BBL century after 14 years against Hobart Hurricanes

DV vs MIE: Predicted Playing XIs

Desert Vipers (DV):

Fakhar Zaman, Andries Gous (wk), Max Holden, Sam Curran (c), Dan Lawrence, Jason Roy, Hasan Nawaz, Vriitya Aravind, Khuzaima Tanveer, Naseem Shah, Qais Ahmad

Impact Player: David Payne

MI Emirates (MIE):

Muhammad Waseem, Dan Mousley, Tom Banton (wk), Kieron Pollard (c), Romario Shepherd, Shakib Al Hasan, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, AM Ghazanfar, Zahoor Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Arab Gul Momand

Impact Player: Andre Fletcher

The Pakistan right-arm pacer, Naseem Shah, ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, is preparing his T20 skills in the ongoing International League T20 (ILT20) 2025/26 in the United Arab Emirates for the Desert Vipers. On the field, the team has done a fabulous job of standing at the top of the points table.

Under the leadership of Lockie Ferguson, they have already bagged seven wins in nine encounters at a net run rate of +0.446. They are one of the two teams, along with MI Emirates, to qualify for the knockout stage. In a recent viral video, the Pakistan pacer has roasted his franchise's social media team.

See Also: Watch: Rohit Sharma completes 62-ball century against Sikkim in Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2025/26

“Cha (Tea) is my uncle’s daughter,”- said Naseem to the question of the social media side, who questioned the Pakistan pacer to tell them his relationship with Tea before adding, “You guys only have four to 5 questions every single time. It all revolves around how he feels about being part of the Desert Vipers, or how willing he is to come and play here in Dubai, or how was your debut, or how was your experience in playing for this franchise.”

Naseem Shah laughs at Desert Vipers during ILT20 2025-26

In this, the Pakistan pacer has picked up only five wickets in five innings of the tournament at an average of under 29 and an economy rate of 7.53, with the best bowling figures of two for in the innings. He also highlighted how he has been answering the same questions in every single interview.

“I mean, I have told it multiple times, and people will also get tired of hearing this every single time. I think your market is absolutely down and needs to come up with new topics. This is the most boring and the worst interview of the entire here, and I am also tired of hearing the same questions just like you guys.” The youngster added.

Watch the video here: 

Naseem Shah roasting Desert Vipers's Social media team😅pic.twitter.com/v4LRoD9rxM

— junaiz (@dhillow_) December 24, 2025

“But the entire world is built on hope, and I want to get the same hope from you guys not to give such an interview again in my life. The four guys sitting behind the camera don’t have any questions and are coming up with the same ones every single moment.” Naseem Shah concluded.

It was one of the most promising and exciting T20 tournaments to ever feature. Featuring top international and domestic cricketers, ILT20  league produce great rivalries and record-breaking performances in a bid to culminate in thriller finals over three seasons. Check out the winners, top batsmen, top bowlers, and prize purse winners of 2025

International League T20 Winners :

2025 ILT20 Top Run-Scorers :

ALSO SEE :  Jasprit Bumrah’s Injury Update: BCCI Awaits Fitness Report for Champions Trophy

2025 ILT20 Top Wicket-Takers :

2025 ILT20 End of Season Awards :

ILT20 2025: Prize Money Breakdown :

The ILT20 2025 season has been a real thrill of quality cricket, showcasing the immense talent and fierce competition that has taken the game to great heights. The Dubai Capitals have emerged as the champions by winning the final over Desert Vipers by 4 wickets. The season was marked by many outstanding performances. Shai Hope of the Dubai Capitals was the highest run-scorer and Fazalhaq Farooqi of MI Emirates claimed the most wickets.

The International League T20 (ILT20) 2025 final is scheduled to be played today, February 9, 2025. The match will be played between Dubai Capitals and Desert Vipers at the Dubai International Stadium. Cricket fans all over the world are eagerly waiting to watch this exciting contest. Here are all the details on how you can watch the match live.

How they Qualified?

Dubai Capitals: They completed the league stage well and dominated their qualifier game to get a place in the final.
Desert Vipers: They played pretty well in the group stage, and then through the eliminator and qualifier matches, they were able to punch their ticket for the final.

Match Details

• Tournament: ILT20 2025 Final
• Teams: Dubai Capitals vs Desert Vipers
• Date: February 9, 2025
• Time: 7:30 PM IST (6:00 PM UAE Time)
• Venue: Dubai International Stadium, UAE

Live streaming Details:

The Indian audience can catch the ILT20 final on the Zee Network. It will be aired on all channels of Zee, such as:
The final match of ILT20 will be broadcast on the Zee Network in India. The said match will be telecast on various Zee channels.

ONLINE:The match can be viewed live on the Zee5 app and website for online streaming. FanCode will also live stream the match for Indian viewers.

ALSO READ:Ind vs eng 2nd ODI Live Streaming&: Where & How to Watch the Match Online & on TV

Live Streaming in Other Countries
Fans from other countries can also view the match live through the following channels:

• Pakistan: Tapmad
• Afghanistan: Ariana TV
• Middle East & North Africa (MENA): Abu Dhabi TV, Dubai TV, MYCO, and the ILT20 Official YouTube channel
• Europe: Samsung TV Plus, Rakuten TV
• Caribbean: RUSH Sports
• Nepal: Styx Sports

The remaining world: YouTube channel 'ILT20 on Zee

DCP vs DV Match Preview

It will decide the title of the International League T20 in 2025. The Dubai Capitals, who finished second last year, will look for their first title when they face the Desert Vipers in this game. The Capitals will be inspired by their first-round victory over the Vipers and hope to replicate that performance. The Vipers comprehensively defeated the Sharjah Warriors in the second Qualifier and hope to build on their success. The Dubai Capitals have taken over the Desert Vipers. They have beaten the last five games versus them and will look to extend that streak with a strong performance in this one. The Desert Vipers have proved inconsistent in recent games, which will concern the team.

DCP vs DV Match Details 

Dubai Capitals vs Desert Vipers – Final Match, ILT20

Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

Date & Time: 09th February 2025 at 07:30 PM IST

Live Streaming: Disney+Hotstar

DCP vs DV Venue Stats

DCP vs DV Pitch Report

The flat pitch, combined with the smaller boundaries, will make Dubai a hitting paradise. Given the outcome of the previous game, we can expect the field to play out similarly in this match.

DCP vs DV Weather Report

It is expected to be cloudy during the game time, but there is no chance of rain, and we may anticipate another high-scoring thriller between two teams desperate to win. 

DCP vs DV Last Five Matches

DCP vs DV Head-to-Head Stats

Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update.

Also Read: Watch: What does Shubman Gill say about his ODI vice-captain role?

DCP vs DV Probable Playing XIs:

Desert Vipers Probable Playing XIs

Dubai Capitals Probable Playing XIs

Sam Billings (c), Shai Hope (wk), Gulbadin Naib, Sikandar Raza, Dasun Shanaka, Rovman Powell, Dushmantha Chameera, Farhan Khan, Haider Ali, Obed McCoy, Qais Ahmad, Adam Rossington

Topmost Picks for DCP vs DV Dream11 Prediction:

Top Picks – Desert Vipers

• Alex Hales – One of the primary reasons Desert Vipers advanced to the season's final match was Alex Hales' outstanding performance in the second playoff against Sharjah Warriors. He got 47 off 29 balls with a strike rate of 162.07.
• Sam Curran –  Sam Curran hasn't had great form this season and will play a crucial role in the middle overs..

Top Picks – Dubai Capitals

• Gulbadin Naib – Afghanistan's Gulbadin Naib has become a fan favorite in ILT20 following his performance in the first playoff. He was on fire, scoring 62 from 39 balls with a strike rate of 158.97.
• Qais Ahmad –  Qais Ahmad is the team's key bowler, and he must take wickets in the middle overs.

Suggested Playing XI N0.1 for DCP vs DV Dream11 Team:

Shai Hope, Adam Rossington, Alex Hales, Max Holden, Dasun Shanaka, Gulbadin Naib(C), Sam Curran(VC), Daniel Lawrence, Mohammad Amir, Dushmantha Chameera, Qais Ahmad

Suggested Playing XI N0.2 for DCP vs DV Dream11 Team:

Shai Hope(VC), Adam Rossington, Alex Hales(C), Max Holden, Dasun Shanaka, Gulbadin Naib, Sam Curran, Daniel Lawrence, Mohammad Amir, Dushmantha Chameera, Qais Ahmad

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – Alex Hales, Gulbadin Naib

Vice-captain – Shai Hope, Sam Curran

Wicketkeeper – Shai Hope

DCP vs DV Probable Winners:

The Desert Vipers have been unable to crack the Dubai Capitals code in the previous two seasons. The team's bowling attack has been inconsistent in recent games, which will be a source of concern. In this game, the team will rely on a strong bowling attack. The Dubai Capitals have checked all the boxes in recent games. The batting lineup has performed well this season and will start as favorites in this game. Considering the team combination, Dubai Capitals is expected to win this match.

DV vs SW Match Preview

Desert Vipers and Sharjah Warriorz will face off in ILT20 2025 Qualifier 2 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday night. The Vipers missed their first chance to advance to the final, losing to the Dubai Capitals in Qualifier 1. They now have one last opportunity to turn things around. Meanwhile, the Sharjah Warriors are coming off a four-game winning streak. They are full of confidence, and the Vipers will need to deliver their greatest effort to beat them.

DV vs SW Match Details 

Desert Vipers vs Sharjah Warriors – Qualifier-2 Match, ILT20

Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah

Date & Time: 07th February 2025 at 08:00 PM IST

Live Streaming: Disney+Hotstar

DV vs SW Venue Stats

DV vs SW Pitch Report

The flat pitch, combined with the smaller boundaries, will make Dubai a hitting paradise. Given the outcome of the previous game, we can expect the field to play out similarly in this match.

DV vs SW Weather Report

It is expected to be cloudy during the game time, but there is no chance of rain, and we may anticipate another high-scoring thriller between two teams desperate to win. 

DV vs SW Last Five Matches

DV vs SW Head-to-Head Stats

Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update.

Also Read: Watch:Rohit Sharma's Magical Entry

DV vs SW Probable Playing XIs:

Desert Vipers Probable Playing XIs

Sharjah Warriors Probable Playing XIs

Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Jason Roy, Matthew Wade, Tim Seifert (wk), Rohan Mustafa, Ashton Agar, Ethan DSouza, Harmeet Singh, Tim Southee (c), Adam Milne, Johnson Charles

Topmost Picks for DV vs SW Dream11 Prediction:

Top Picks – Desert Vipers

• Alex Hales – Alex Hales continues to deliver consistent performances, and has been their most reliable batter, amassing 353 runs in 11 innings at a strike rate of 135.76.
• Wanindu Hasaranga –  Wanindu Hasaranga has snared 11 wickets this season, is a game-changer with the ball.

Top Picks – Sharjah Warriors

• Tom Kohler-Cadmore – Tom Kohler-Cadmore has been the star of their batting unit, accumulating 387 runs across nine innings with an impressive strike rate of 140.21.
• Adam Milne –  Adam Milne standing out after collecting 12 wickets in 11 games at an economy of 8.10.

Suggested Playing XI N0.1 for DV vs SW Dream11 Team:

Johnson Charles, Jason Roy, Avishka Fernando, Fakhar Zaman, Alex Hales, Daniel Lawrence, Sam Curran(C), Rohan Mustafa, Wanindu Hasaranga(VC), Adam Milne, Tim Southee

Suggested Playing XI N0.2 for DV vs SW Dream11 Team:

Johnson Charles, Jason Roy, Avishka Fernando(VC), Fakhar Zaman, Alex Hales, Daniel Lawrence(C), Sam Curran, Rohan Mustafa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Adam Milne, Tim Southee

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – Sam Curran, Daniel Lawrence

Vice-captain – Wanindu Hasaranga, Avishka Fernando

Wicketkeeper – Johnson Charles

DV vs SW Probable Winners:

Desert Vipers and Sharjah Warriors both performed admirably in the ILT20 2025, yet the pressure on this match will be different. Both teams have beaten each other once this season, but this is the most important game. Both squads have individual players capable of winning the game for their respective teams. However, the Warriors appear to have more momentum, giving them a slight advantage in this encounter. Considering the team combination, Sharjah Warriors is expected to win this match.

Dubai Capitals Reach ILT20 Final Again: Can They Win This Time?

Dubai Capitals made it to the final of the ILT20 for the second consecutive season, after a thriller of a win over the Desert Vipers by a single ball. It proved that the team was still in good form at the end.

Semi-Final
The qualifier match was between Dubai Capitals and the Desert Vipers. The play was very good, with maximum effort from all the players who played. Even the all-arounder Gulbadin Naib played a game-changing role during the match when the Capitals wanted to cross over the finish.
The most consistent team of this ILT20 season has definitely been the Capitals. Their powerful batting order, disciplined bowling line up, and performing under pressure have saved them a ticket to the final from the second consecutive year. After ending their previous year as runner-up, the team will definitely look forward to lift the trophy this time.

ALSO READ:MARCUS STOINIS RETIRED FROM ODI FORMAT

February 9: Final Confrontation
The ILT20 final will be played on February 9, 2025, at the Dubai International Stadium. Capitals will face the winner of the second qualifier match.

Dubai Capitals have stormed into the ILT20 finals for the second consecutive season! ⚡

Can they go the distance this time, or will history repeat itself? 👀#Cricket #ILT20 #UAE #Dubai pic.twitter.com/nmi9aesFmz

— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) February 6, 2025

Win?
The big question is whether the Dubai Capitals can take this ILT20 trophy home this season. Last season they almost bagged the title but failed in the final. This season, Dubai Capitals have been much more composed in the direst of situations. If they keep playing like this, then surely they have a great chance of becoming champions.

Cricket fans are eagerly waiting for the final match, which promises to be an exciting contest. Will history repeat itself, or will the Dubai Capitals claim their first ILT20 title? We will find out soon.

DV vs DCP Match Preview

It is the first qualifier for the ongoing International League T20 2025. The Desert Vipers will face the Dubai Capitals in this game. Surprisingly the two teams faced off in the last league game, with the Dubai Capitals winning by 9 wickets. The Capitals will be inspired by their victory and strive to replicate their performance. The Vipers performed admirably, finishing first in the points table, and will look to mount a strong comeback. The Dubai Capitals have a strong record against the Desert Vipers. They prevailed in the last four games between each other and will be confident.

DV vs DCP Match Details 

Desert Vipers vs Dubai Capitals – Qualifier-1 Match, ILT20

Venue: Dubai Cricket Stadium, Dubai

Date & Time: 05th February 2025 at 08:00 PM IST

Live Streaming: Disney+Hotstar

DV vs DCP Venue Stats

DV vs DCP Pitch Report

The flat pitch, combined with the smaller boundaries, will make Dubai a hitting paradise. Given the outcome of the previous game, we can expect the field to play out similarly in this match.

DV vs DCP Weather Report

It is expected to be cloudy during the game time, but there is no chance of rain, and we may anticipate another high-scoring thriller between two teams desperate to win. 

DV vs DCP Last Five Matches

DV vs DCP Head-to-Head Stats

Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update.

Also Read: Watch: What does Shubman Gill say about his ODI vice-captain role?

DV vs DCP Probable Playing XIs:

Desert Vipers Probable Playing XIs

Dubai Capitals Probable Playing XIs

Ben Dunk, Shai Hope (wk), Brandon McMullen, Sikandar Raza (c), Rovman Powell, Dasun Shanaka, Gulbadin Naib, Scott Kuggeleijn, Olly Stone, Haider Ali, Farhan Khan

Topmost Picks for DV vs DCP Dream11 Prediction:

Top Picks – Desert Vipers

• Alex Hales – The form of the team has replicated Alex Hales’ form. The opening batter hasn’t played well in the last three games, which has seen the Vipers lose twice. The Englishman is the team’s top scorer with 286 runs in ten innings.
• Wanindu Hasaranga –  Sri Lankan Wanindu Hasaranga returned empty-handed in the last match as the Dubai Capitals chased the target down with 9 wickets in hand.

Top Picks – Dubai Capitals

• Shai Hope – The West Indies batter has now scored 467 runs in 10 games at an average of over 66.
• Dushmantha Chameera –  Sri Lankan pacer Dushmantha Chameera has been the team’s highest wicket taker this season with 11 wickets in 7 games. He returned with figures of 3/30 in the only match he played in Sharjah in this campaign.

DV vs DCP Probable Winners:

The Desert Vipers have had a fantastic season, but their dismal record when facing the Dubai Capitals concerns them. To take on a formidable batting lineup, the team's bowling attack will need to perform well. The Washington Capitals have pace and depth both in batting and bowling. We expect the game to go down to the wire, with the Dubai Capitals holding a slight advantage. Considering the team combination, Dubai Capitals is expected to win this match.