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Kieron Pollard stamps MI Emirates win; sends warning to Vipers ahead of ILT20 Final

Soumyajit Dutta

Kieron Pollard beside ILT20 trophy [Source: @ILT20Official/X]Kieron Pollard beside ILT20 trophy [Source: @ILT20Official/X]

Two teams stand between one historic triumph when the Desert Vipers and MI Emirates collide in the DP World ILT20 Season 4 final on Sunday. The Vipers seek their maiden title, while the Emirates aim to become the first two-time champions of the tournament. Their paths converge at the Dubai International Stadium for a decisive blockbuster clash.

The finalists are remarkably balanced historically. The Desert Vipers boast the league's highest win percentage, just ahead of the Emirates' 27. This season, the Vipers won their first six matches and a record eight league games, while the Emirates recovered from a modest start with a five-match winning streak to secure their final berth.

Kieron Pollard oozes confidence ahead of ILT20 Final

Speaking at the pre-final press conference, MI Emirates captain Kieron Pollard was quite confident with the team bagging their second title.

“We understand what a final requires because we’ve been here before. We’re comfortable going in as underdogs, staying focused on the moment rather than the noise,” Pollard said.

“Cricket is simple — some days you win, some days the opposition is better — but we’ve earned another chance, and that’s what matters. Finals are about composure, and if we execute our plans, we give ourselves every chance on the biggest night,” Kieron Pollard added.

Meanwhile, Desert Vipers captain Sam Curran was also high on the aspirations as he also underlined the intensity of the match.

“It's about being ready for the big moments and focusing on doing the right things as a team. Individual performances matter less than winning games, and we’ve done that well this season. Finals are always different — the pressure, the crowd, the occasion — but that’s what you play for,” Curran said.

MI Emirates and Vipers ready for the finale!

The Vipers are powered by reigning Red Belt winner Sam Curran (323 runs, 7 wickets) and Max Holden (318 runs). UAE pacer Khuzaima Tanveer has been pivotal with 15 wickets.

For the Emirates, UAE opener Muhammad Waseem leads the batting charts with 344 runs, supported by Tom Banton. Spinner Allah Ghazanfar has taken 15 wickets.

Kieron Pollard also highlighted his local talent, noting, “What we’ve seen from the UAE players over the past few seasons has been outstanding... Seeing them step up and perform consistently at this level is encouraging."

The champions of the ILT20 2025-26 will claim a $700,000 prize, with runners-up receiving $300,000. Individual awards for Best Batter, Best Bowler, MVP, and Best UAE Player each carry a $15,000 prize.